title: Sequential bilateral cochlear implantation improves working performance, quality of life, and quality of hearing.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  This prospective study shows that working performance, quality of life (QoL), and quality of hearing (QoH) are better with two compared with a single cochlear implant (CI). The impact of the second CI on the patient's QoL is as significant as the impact of the first CI.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the benefits of sequential bilateral cochlear implantation in working, QoL, and QoH.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied working performance, work-related stress, QoL, and QoH with specific questionnaires in 15 patients with unilateral CI scheduled for sequential CI of another ear. Sound localization performance and speech perception in noise were measured with specific tests. All questionnaires and tests were performed before the second CI surgery and 6 and 12 months after its activation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bilateral CIs increased patients' working performance and their work-related stress and fatigue decreased. Communication with co-workers was easier and patients were more active in their working environment. Sequential bilateral cochlear implantation improved QoL, QoH, sound localization, and speech perception in noise statistically significantly.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tampere University Hospital and the University of Tampere , Tampere.
authors: Kati
authors: K
authors: Härkönen
authors: Ilkka
authors: I
authors: Kivekäs
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Rautiainen
authors: Voitto
authors: V
authors: Kotti
authors: Ville
authors: V
authors: Sivonen
authors: Juha-Pekka
authors: JP
authors: Vasama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D011788:Quality of Life; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods; D012086:Reoperation; D013069:Speech Reception Threshold Test; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ability to work; sound localization; speech perception in noise