PP109 - Harmonies and Challenges: Exploring Quality of Life in Adult Cochlear Implant Users

This qualitative study documents the self-perceived QoL (social and emotional functioning) of seven female late-deafened adults with CIs. Positive aspects (harmonies) and negative aspects (challenges) of learning to listen with their devices while participating in a ten-session group therapy program were analyzed and described. Results affirm the need for group AR therapy for adult CI users to facilitate their social and emotional self-efficacy.

Summary:

Rationale:

A growing body of research underscores the advantages of group AR for late-deafened adult CI users (Tucker, McDonald, & Myers, 2023; Bernstein et al. (2021); Brewer et al. (2023); Glade et al., 2020; Preminger and Yoo, 2010).  Such group approaches to adult AR align with the broader context of QoL and speech perception evaluation in this demographic, as highlighted by Abdrabbou et al. (2018). This qualitative study illuminates both the positive aspects (Harmonies) and the negative aspects (Challenges) encountered by late-deafened adults with CIs as they learn to listen with their implants. This investigation focuses on their QoL through their social and emotional well-being during the group AR process. Findings of this research highlight the need for CI users to access group AR programs to enhance their overall QoL with regard to their social and emotional functioning.

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Design: This project was medical records review qualitative study. Each week participants in the Cochlear Implant Connections (CIC) group AR program at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) Speech and Hearing Center were asked to share a positive listening experience and a listening challenge with using their CIs. They were asked to describe a positive and a negative experience in using their CIs during the previous week. Their disclosures were recorded in group therapy notes and in session videotapes. Subsequently, data was extracted from participants’ patient files and videotapes. The extracted data was compiled into a Microsoft Word document and uploaded into Atlas.ti.23 qualitative software analysis program. Four codes derived from the Hearing Handicap Inventory Adults (Newman et al, 1990) were used to code the data. These codes were: positive social functioning, negative social functioning, positive emotional functioning, and negative emotional functioning. Atlas software analyzed the coded data to reveal emergent variables. Examples of participant quotations were compiled for each of the four coded areas.

Results: Seven female participants between the ages of 59 to 82 years (Mean =67) were enrolled in the study. All participants wore one CI and one hearing aid. Participants had worn their CI speech processors between 5 months to 36 months (Mean = 19.5 months). Atlas.ti analysis generated over 300 coded phrases. Overall emergent themes included positive and negative listening experiences involving people, music, groups, friends, parties, church, TV, car, and FM. The emergent theme of music appeared most frequently in both positive and negative social/emotional comments. The negative social functioning code yielded the highest number of comments indicating that adult CI users continue to experience listening challenges using their CIs in social situations.

Conclusion: Group AR therapy provides CI users with the opportunity to share their positive and negative social and emotional experiences in learning to use their implant within a supportive biopsychosocial setting. This study revealed that negative social functioning remains a major challenge for adults with CIs. Findings affirm the use of qualitative design and methodology in documenting adult CI users’ emotional and social success in using their implants.