Release: Immediate
Contact: Kenneth Satterfield561-447-5521 (May 9-14, 2002)703-519-1563[email protected]
AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANTS UTILIZE THE TELEPHONE IN PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL SITUATIONS
Since its introduction, cochlear implantation has improved communication ability in most adults and children two years and older with severe to profound deafness. The device has allowed patients to reap positive psychological and social benefits as well. Socialization exists on several levels, with the telephone providing the technology that best facilitates communication. Do the 50,000 cochlear implant recipients worldwide benefit to the extent that they can now use the telephone as a communication vehicle?
A group of researchers from a Virginia medical college (the Virginia Commonwealth University) set out to: (1) determine the number of cochlear implant patients at their institution who use the telephone independently, require some form of assistance or have no telephone use; (2) to assess telephone understanding by patients who use the telephone independently, and determine characteristics that contribute to successful telephone communication.
The authors of "Telephone Use and Understanding in Patients with Cochlear Implants" are Jeffrey S. Adams MD, M.S. Hasenstab PhD, Gregory W. Pippen MD, Aristides Sismanis MD, all from the Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA. Their findings will be presented May 10, 2002, at the Annual Meeting of the American Otological Society, being held at the Boca Raton Club and Resort, Boca Raton, FL.
Methodology: The subjects for this study were Virginia Commonwealth University Health System cochlear implant patients born prior to December 31, 1991 who were cochlear implant users for six months or longer. Ninety-five adult and pediatric cochlear implant patients were identified; a survey was mailed to each.
The researchers tabulated 86 returns (91 percent). Fifty-six of the respondents were adults; 30 pediatric patients completed and returned the survey. The respondents were divided into three response groups: (1) non-users of the telephone (44 percent); (2) assisted users (14 percent); and independent users (42 percent).
Results: Survey findings revealed the following:
(1) Demographic profile of user groups:
* Non-users: The average age was 45.9 years; 21 of 38 were men; average age at onset of hearing loss was 21; hearing assistance was used for an average of 13.4 years; progressive and congenital hearing loss were the leading causes of hearing loss.
* Assisted users: The average age was 54.8 years; three of nine were men; average age at the onset of hearing loss was 27.4; hearing assistance was used for an average of 16.5 years; progressive and congenital hearing loss were the leading causes of hearing loss.
* Independent users: The average age was 29.2 years; 13 of 37 were men; average age at the onset of hearing loss was 9.7; hearing assistance was used for an average of 11.3 years; progressive and congenital hearing loss were the leading causes for hearing assistance.
(2) Cochlear Implantation
* Non-users: 26 of 38 had cochlear implantation in their right year. The average cochlear implant use was 6.1 years; 29 had their speech processor at body level.
* Assisted users: Seven of 12 had cochlear implantation in their right year. The average cochlear implant use was 7.4 years; ten of 12 had their speech processor at body level.
* Independent users: 23 of 36 had cochlear implantation in their right year. The average cochlear implant use was 4.7 years; 21 of 36 had their speech processor at ear level.
(3) Telephone usage
* Assisted users: Eight of 12 reported telephone use for daily affairs. All stated they used the telephone for social conversation; nine of 12 used the telephone in connection with their job; nine of 11 responded that they had equal success with all telephone models.
* Independent users: 18 of 36 stated they used the telephone for daily affairs; 35 of 36 used the telephone in social situations; 11 of 35 stated they had equal success with all telephone models.
(4) Telephone understanding.
The independent users (36 responses) were invited to participate in this portion of the study. Thirty-four (94 percent) were tested using the CID Telephone Sentences. This entailed the patient being placed in room with standard land phone with instructions given by a member of the study team. A second study team member dialed the patient from a remote location in hospital. Two CID Telephone Sentences lists from random selection of ten forms were used. Patients were divided into three groups.
* Very Good: Nine of 36 scored in this category. The average age was 38.4; three of nine were women. The average age of hearing loss onset was 13.5; cochlear implant use averaged 2.2 years.
* Good: Four of 36 scored in this category. The average age was 29.8; one of four was a woman. The average age of hearing loss onset was 9.7 years; cochlear implant use averaged 5.5 years.
* Fair: 17 of 36 scored in this category. The average age was 23.5; 17 of 21 were women. The average age of hearing loss onset was 6.7 years; cochlear implant use averaged 5.5 years.
Conclusions: The researchers found that telephone usage is becoming more common among patients with cochlear implantation. Patients with newer device technologies are associated with better telephone performance.
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