Cochlear implant recipients experience improvement in quality of life

[rick48]

I found this and it looks interesting. I have not read the article only the abstract as spending the $31.50 would result in a decrease in the quality of my life.


PhysOrg.com, March 4, 2008

Abstract of the article cited: Elsevier Full text
available: US$ 31.50
-------------------

Cochlear implant recipients experience improvement in quality of life

Cochlear implant recipients experience a significant improvement in their
quality of life, and have improved speech recognition, according to new
research published in the March 2008 issue of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck
Surgery.

The German study evaluated the quality of life of 56 cochlear implant
recipients using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), a
self-administered assessment that asks responders about sound perception,
speech, self-esteem, and social interaction. Responders reported significant
improvements in all areas, with especially large gains observed in the areas
of sound perception and social interaction.

The study also gauged participants using the Medical Outcome Study Short
Form 36 (SF36). While the results provided by this tool are not specific to
hearing loss or cochlear implants, they nonetheless indicated significant
improvements in the areas of social functioning and mental health.

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that restores partial hearing to
the deaf. It is surgically implanted in the inner ear and activated by a
device worn outside the ear. Unlike a hearing aid, it does not make sound
louder or clearer. Instead, the device bypasses damaged parts of the
auditory system and directly stimulates the hearing nerve, allowing
individuals who are profoundly hearing-impaired to receive sound.

Source: American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

 

[jillio]

An absrtact does not provide enough information for critical evaluation of the research contained therein. Too much missing information. Abstracts are intended to provide just enough information for the individual to decide if the inforamtion contained therein would be useful as a resource for further literature review or as a citation for a research proposal.

 

[R2D2]

That's interesting. I wonder if the subjects were pre-lingually deaf or posties? As a prelingual, I have certainly experienced large gains in speech perception and social interaction compared to before my CI.

 

[jillio]

That's interesting. I wonder if the subjects were pre-lingually deaf or posties? As a prelingual, I have certainly experienced large gains in speech perception and social interaction compared to before my CI.

That would be some of the information needed. As well as an operational definition of "quality of life" and measures for determining "improvement".

 

[neecy]

This board isn't a professional review committee to decide whether or not an article is worthy of being mentioned or not, for heaven's sakes. If you're not interested in the information provided, then ignore it!

I'd be interested in reading the full article, but I'm not willing to spend the $$ either. Like R2 said - finding out if it was pre or post-lingually deafened individuals who were mentioned would definitely be interesting. I have found a marked increase in MY quality of life, perception, and interaction with hearing people since getting my CI. As well as a huge increase in my personal confidence.

 

[owen06]

Sixty-two postlingually deaf adult subjects, who were implanted with a multichannel CI at the ENT Department of Charité from 1995 to 2005 and who had had their implant for a minimum of 12 months, were identified.

Hirschfelder, A., Gräbel, S., & Olze, H. (2008). The impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life: The role of audiologic performance and variables. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 138, 357-362.

Just in case you don't have access to the paper

Jillio, I don't think Rick intended it to be used for complete information. He explicitly said "this looks interesting".

 

[neecy]

Thank you, Owen!!! As a post-lingually deafened individual, I'm not surprised that others would experience the same quality of life enhancement that I have experienced

 

[deafskeptic]

That's interesting. I wonder if the subjects were pre-lingually deaf or posties? As a prelingual, I have certainly experienced large gains in speech perception and social interaction compared to before my CI.

As have I. I love my CI. I can do things with my CI that I never could do with my HA. I've certainly learned new things that most people take for granted.

 

[Banjo]

That's interesting. I wonder if the subjects were pre-lingually deaf or posties? As a prelingual, I have certainly experienced large gains in speech perception and social interaction compared to before my CI.

Yes, I was curious about that.

 

[jillio]

This board isn't a professional review committee to decide whether or not an article is worthy of being mentioned or not, for heaven's sakes. If you're not interested in the information provided, then ignore it!

I'd be interested in reading the full article, but I'm not willing to spend the $$ either. Like R2 said - finding out if it was pre or post-lingually deafened individuals who were mentioned would definitely be interesting. I have found a marked increase in MY quality of life, perception, and interaction with hearing people since getting my CI. As well as a huge increase in my personal confidence.

No one said the article wasn't worthy of being mentioned. It was simply stated that the abstract alone does not contain enough information for critical analysis of the findings.

 

[jillio]

Hirschfelder, A., Gräbel, S., & Olze, H. (2008). The impact of cochlear implantation on quality of life: The role of audiologic performance and variables. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 138, 357-362.

Just in case you don't have access to the paper

Jillio, I don't think Rick intended it to be used for complete information. He explicitly said "this looks interesting".

I personally, can access the article free of charge. However, there are manymembers of this board who do not have the same access that I do.

While your addition of participant hearing status is useful, it is still incomplete for a critical analysis. One simply cannot know if the article is useful or if the findings are relevent without reviewing the whole article.

 

[owen06]

Someone asked a specific question. I gave them the information.

There is nothing wrong with posting something and saying that you find it interesting. It was made very clear that rick48 didn't have access to the whole paper, that doesn't take away from interest. If the person is looking to critically analyse the paper he/she will get full access to it. Otherwise, it remains something of interest. Which also happens to be the way it was portrayed.

Also, if any one wants the full paper, I would be very happy to share. (Though I think I need to post 100 times to pm )

 

[jillio]

Someone asked a specific question. I gave them the information.

There is nothing wrong with posting something and saying that you find it interesting. It was made very clear that rick48 didn't have access to the whole paper, that doesn't take away from interest. If the person is looking to critically analyse the paper he/she will get full access to it. Otherwise, it remains something of interest. Which also happens to be the way it was portrayed.

Also, if any one wants the full paper, I would be very happy to share. (Though I think I need to post 100 times to pm )

And, once again, interest cannot be determined by an abstract alone. It simply isn't complete enough, and can leave a reader with misperceptions regarding the findings of the research. We have encountered this problem in the past.

 

[owen06]

Of course interest can be determined from the abstract that is what it is for! If the person decides that they wish to read more (i.e. they are interested) they get access to the full paper. There was no broad statement made from only the abstract. There is no problem with the way it has been presented.

 

[jillio]

Of course interest can be determined from the abstract that is what it is for! If the person decides that they wish to read more (i.e. they are interested) they get access to the full paper. There was no broad statement made from only the abstract. There is no problem with the way it has been presented.

That is your perception. Mine differs.

 

[deafskeptic]

Yes, I was curious about that.

I'm also curious about that. R2D2 raised an interesting question here.

 

[owen06]

That is your perception. Mine differs.

jillio-

It is intended as an introduction. If you wish to have further information, then you utilize the references. Abstracts are intended only to provide you with enough information to see if the entire study is something that would be beneficial to read, or if it is useful to access the article as well as other articles like it for your own research purposes. And the information to access the article as published was made available in the post.

That doesn't seem too different from my perception.

 

[jillio]

[removed by moderator]

 

[rick48]

Of course interest can be determined from the abstract that is what it is for! If the person decides that they wish to read more (i.e. they are interested) they get access to the full paper. There was no broad statement made from only the abstract. There is no problem with the way it has been presented.

Thank you Owen and you too Neecy, of course there was no problem with what I posted but it always gets twisted by one person who just seems determined to argue for the sake of arguing.

Anyway, if you can pm me the article I would love to read it.
Rick

 

[neecy]

Thank you Owen and you too Neecy, of course there was no problem with what I posted

No problem whatsoever...I'm glad you posted it. Its always important to learn new things, and I'm glad to see that these kinds of studies *are* being made. I'd love to read a comparison between pre and post lingually deafened children and CI's.

but it always gets twisted by one person who just seems determined to argue for the sake of arguing.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the norm here, as of late. Thankfully, the mods are keeping on top of everything.