Development of auditory handicap after a multi-electrode cochlear implantation
Bergeron, F.; Ferron, P.
L'Union Medicale du Canada 120(5): 351-353
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-6959 PMID: 1962384 Document Number: 372484
The efficacy of cochlear implantation as an aid to communication for profoundly hearing impaired persons is now established. International data show that some comprehension without visual cues is possible in many cases. Up to now, the bulk of research has been focused on psychoacoustical and speech perception measures. Hearing handicap changes following an implantation were rarely explored. On a longitudinal study on the benefits of cochlear implantation for twelve adults with profound acquired deafness, we explored the evolution of the hearing loss handicap. Two questionnaires were completed by the participants before and after implantation. A descriptive analysis of the data shows a rather moderate diminution of the handicap. The importance of the diminution appears inversely correlated to the length of deafness.