Self-assessment of unilateral and bimodal cochlear implant experiences in daily life

Elke M. J. Devocht, A. Miranda L. Janssen, Josef Chalupper, Robert J. Stokroos, Herman Kingma, Erwin L. J. George, Andreas Buechner
2020 PLoS ONE  
Objective The subjective experiences were assessed of cochlear implant (CI) users either wearing or not wearing a hearing aid (HA) at the contralateral ear. Design Unilateral CI-recipients were asked to fill out a set of daily-life questionnaires on bimodal HA use, hearing disability, hearing handicap and general quality of life. Study sample Twenty-six CI-recipients who regularly use a contralateral HA (bimodal group) and twenty-two CI-recipients who do not use a HA in the contralateral ear
more » ... ilateral group). Results Comparisons between both groups (bimodal versus unilateral) showed no difference in self-rated disability, hearing handicap or general quality of life. However within the group of bimodal listeners, participants did report a benefit of bimodal hearing ability in various daily life listening situations. Conclusions Bimodal benefit in daily life can consistently be experienced and reported within the group of bimodal users.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0242871 pmid:33270689 fatcat:yltqjohzoffdvgu6lsmmvodwhm