Changes in health-related quality of life following cochlear implantation

Health-related quality of life is an important evaluation criterion for cochlear implantation (DGHNO-KHC, 2012). Current studies find significant improvements (e.g. McRackan et al., 2017; Yang & Cosetti, 2016) but refer to a relatively short postoperative period and use pre-post comparisons.

Therefore, this thesis investigates the development of health-related quality of life following cochlear implantation over a period of 5 years. 90 patients (50 females, 40 males) completed the Glasgow Benefit Inventory 1-, 2- and 5-years following implantation. Multilevel Models were used for statistical analysis.

Results showed a significant benefit in all GBI-scales (“GBI-Total”, “GBI-General”, “GBI-Social”, “GBI-Physical”) on the first measurement occasion. Between 1 year and 5 years postoperatively, all scales deteriorated and the comparison of the first and third measurement showed a significant deterioration in the subscales “GBI-General“ and “GBI-Social“. Furthermore, results indicated a significant influence of patients age on health-related quality of life. Older patients had significant worse results than younger patients.

In summary, cochlear implantation positively influences different areas of health-related quality of life, instead of deterioration in positive influence. However, it is important to note, that the described changes could also be interpreted as habituation effects and therefore could reflect an improved everyday handling of CI.

Poster-PDF A-1103.pdf

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021