Quality of life and cochlear implantation in Usher syndrome type I

Objectives: The objectives of this descriptive, retrospective study were to evaluate quality of life, hearing, and vision in patients with Usher syndrome type I with and without cochlear implant. Methods: Quality of life (QoL) of 14 patients with Usher type I (USH1) with a cochlear implant (CI) (seven adults, seven children) was compared with those of 14 patients with USH1 without a Cl (12 adults, two children) by means of three questionnaires: NCIQ, SF12, and the Usher Lifestyle Survey. Additional information on hearing level was obtained by the equivalent hearing loss (EHL) principle and on the visual deterioration by the functional vision score (FVS). Results: A significant benefit of CI was seen in the hearing-specific questionnaire NCIQ. This difference could not be detected in the generic SF12 survey. The Usher Lifestyle Survey indicated that patients with USH1 with a CI tend to be able to live an independent life more easily than the profoundly deaf unimplanted patients with USH1. EHL and FVS scores varied in both groups. Conclusions: Overall QoL can be enhanced by Cl in patients with USH1, although effects are mostly seen in hearing-related QoL items.