Self-Assessment of Sound Quality and Hearing

Device Satisfaction in Older Adult Cochlear

Implant Listeners

Jennifer Torres M.A., Christina Runge PhD, Meredith Anderson AuD, Elizabeth Camposeo AuD, Margaret Dillon

AuD, Meredith Holcomb AuD, Michelle Montes AuD, Elizabeth Coughlan M.A., Michelle Blanchard AuD, Jennifer

Mansanares M.S., Stacey Cohen AuD,

Disclosures

�  Audiology Advisory Board, MedEl Corp.

�  Consulting, MedEl Corp.

Study/Subjects �  Adults, age 60+, participated in a multi-center study

�  Denver Ear Associates, Englewood, CO, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, Tampa Bay Hearing and Balance, Tampa, FL, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, University of Pennsylvania, PA

�  All participants were implanted with a MED-EL SYNCHRONY or CONCERT device

�  HISQUI and HDSS questionnaires were completed at 6 and 12 months post initial activation

Introduction: Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI29) �  29 item questionnaire

�  Self-assessment of performance in everyday listening situations such as: �  Distinguishing between different speakers �  Listening to music �  Talking on the phone �  Watching TV �  Group conversations

�  Responses rated on a 7 point Likert scale

�  Total score calculated based on sum of all responses and classified into an overall performance category.

Introduction: Hearing Device Satisfaction Scale

(HDSS) �  21 item questionnaire

�  Assessment of satisfaction with different features of the device �  Sound quality �  Effectiveness in noise

�  Cosmetics �  Manipulation

�  Responses rated on a 5 point Likert scale

Methods �  Subjects were divided into two groups based on their speech

performance at 6 months post initial activation �  Poorer performers- <50% on CNCs �  Better performers- ≥50% on CNCs

�  To date �  29 participants have completed the 6 month interval

�  14 have been classified as poorer performers �  15 have been classified as better performers

�  22 participants have completed the 12 month interval �  12 have been classified as poorer performers �  10 have been classified as better performers

HISQUI-self-rating of performance

Identifying Environmental Sounds Talking on the Phone

HISQUI-self-rating of performance

Listening to TV and Radio Understanding Speech in Public Places (Reverberation)

Total HISQUI Score

Poor28%

Moderate29%

Good29%

VeryGood14%

6Months

VeryPoor27%

Poor46%

Moderate27%

Pre-op

Moderate50%

Good42%

VeryGood8%

12Months

VeryPoor27%

Poor46%

Moderate20%

Good7%

Pre-op

Poor20%

Moderate33%

Good40%

VeryGood7%

6Months

Poor20%

Moderate40%

Good30%

VeryGood10%

12Months

PoorerPerformers

Be@erPerformers

HISQUI- Summary �  From pre-op to 6 months post-op, older adult patients report

large improvements (>30%) in their ability to: �  Distinguish between different speakers �  Talk on the phone �  Identify environmental sounds

�  Moderate gains (>15%) were seen from pre-op to 6 months post-op in the ability to: �  Identify music sounds �  Participate in group conversations

�  Similar levels of difficulty when were seen from pre-op to 6 months post-op in the ability to: �  listening to the TV or radio �  understanding speech in public, reverberant spaces (such as in

church or in restaurants)

�  Self-assessment ratings across all categories appeared to be consistent from 6 months to 12 months post-op

HDSS-self-rating of satisfaction

HDSS-self-rating of satisfaction

HDSS-self-rating of satisfaction

HDSS Summary �  Poorer performers reported:

�  increased satisfaction for telephone usage, radio, television, theatre, and movies

�  reported a 36% increased in satisfaction for music quality and enjoyment at 6 months post device use

�  All participants reported over a 30% improvement in satisfaction of quality of life after 6 months of cochlear implant use

�  Overall, satisfaction levels of better performers tended to be lower than poorer performers at 6 and 12 months post CI.

Clinical Insights �  Subjective benefits of cochlear implants may not

always be reflective of speech perception measures.

�  Patient questionnaires like the HISQUI may help to identify the specific areas where a patient is continuing to have difficulty performing with their CI.

�  Patient satisfaction questionnaires like the HDSS may allow clinicians to capture information beyond performance measures such as changes in patient expectations over time.

�  Rehabilitation and Counseling Implications