The Impact of Cochlear Implants From the Perspective of Significant Others of Adult Cochlear Implant Users
Objective:
To explore the benefits and shortcomings of cochlear implants as perceived by a cochlear implant user's significant other in the context of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
Study design:
An open-ended questionnaire concerning the perceived shortcomings and benefits of the implant was completed by the significant others of cochlear implants users.
Setting:
The study involved the participants of an adult cochlear implant program.
Subjects:
Significant others as selected by the cochlear implant user.
Main outcome measure:
Nature of effects reported by the significant other relating to both the cochlear implant user and the significant other using the ICF domains.
Results:
Benefits experienced by the significant others included a decrease in communication burden and an increased participation in life activities. Those affecting the cochlear implant user were related to psychological issues, particularly an increase in confidence. Improved quality of life was reported for both partners. Reported shortcomings predominantly involved the cochlear implant user and were device related.
Conclusion:
Because family and friends play an important role in how those with a profound hearing impairment cope with the impairment, it is important to acknowledge the impact that an intervention has on those supportive individuals.
This study shows that a cochlear implant provides psychosocial and acoustic benefits for the significant other and the cochlear implant user. The ICF was able to accommodate both the auditory and nonauditory impact of the cochlear implant and the residual hearing difficulty.
