Problematic Compliance after Cochlear Implantation

Introduction Cochlear implantation (CI) is an established method when providing a profound sensorineural hearing loss. However, individual cases can show a reduced usage or even non-usage of their CI, either temporarily or permanently. Factors leading to such problematic compliance are to be examined.

Methods The retrospective analysis considers clinical records, anamnestic data, monosyllabic word recognition, and – as far as available – the data logging of the speech processors. Based on the available data, patients were identified who use their CI partially (1-5 hours daily) or who are considered to be non-users ( <  1 hour daily).

Results At the time of the elicitation, 9949 CIs were registered in the database of the clinic for ENT / MHH. N = 104 (1.04  % ) implants were identified as non-used, and n = 83 (0.83  % ) implants were identified as partially used. Among the 187 CIs, issues concerning the compliance mostly involved early and/or long-time profound hearing loss (32.6  % ), or asymmetric hearing loss / single side deafness (13.4  % ). Further reasons for problematic compliance were discomfort, unfulfilled expectations or a general discontent with the rehabilitation process. The mean usage of the CI amounted to 1.73 hours/day (0-5; n = 115). The mean score in the monosyllabic word recognition test was 15.5  %  (0-100; n = 170). The mean age of the patients was 34.4 years (1-84; n = 187).

Summary Problematic compliance after CI can have various reasons, and it is difficult to predict and to determine. Individual case-analysis and the identification of risk groups are important in order to prevent non-compliance. Early and long-time deafened as well as persons with asymmetric hearing loss are prone to problematic compliance after CI.

Poster-PDF A-1247.pdf

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021