Social performance ; Cochlear implant ; Daefness ; Preimplant factor
Abstract
The social performance of 28 patients wearing cochlear implants was evaluated by questionaire. The hearing performance inventory (HPI) items consist of 7 sections: 1) Understanding speech with or without visual cues, 2) Intensity, 3) Response to auditory failure, 4) Environmental sounds, 5) Personal, 6) General communication, and 7) Occupational.
An analysis of effects of age, gender, duration of deafness, duration of device use and age at implantation on social performance was investigated between preimplant and postimplant period. The results show that all social performances improved significantly after cochlear implantation. Sex, duration of device use, and age at implantation were significant factors that affect the social performance of cochlear implantees.