Cochlear implants and quality of life:: A prospective study

Objective. To evaluate changes in quality of life, anxiety, and depression after cochlear implantation in adults. Design: Twenty-seven postlingually deafened adults who had received a MED-EL Combi 40+ implant were investigated. One generic Health-Related Quality of Life measure, the SF-36, two disease-specific measures, the Patient Quality of Life Form (PQLF) and the Index Relative Questionnaire Form (IRQF) completed by a near relative to the patient, in addition to a domain specific measure, the Hopkins Symptom Check List 25 items (HSCL-25), were used in a prospective study. The subjects were investigated before surgery and 12 to 15 months after surgery. Results: The scores were significantly better after surgery in four of six categories of the PQLF. In the IRQF, where a family member of the cochlear implant recipient was studied, the scores were significantly better in four of five categories. There was a significant improvement in the HSCL-25 scores after surgery. In the SF-36, only one of eight scales showed significant improvement. Conclusions: Cochlear implants were associated with statistically significant improvement in quality of life in postlingually deafened adults. The improvements were largest in the categories concerning communication, feelings of being a burden, isolation, and relations to friends and family. The implants also improved the relatives' daily lives. There was a statistically significant reduction in degree of depression and anxiety. Reduction in anxiety and depression was associated with gain in quality of life.