Introduction:
Cochlear implantation is increasingly used for the treatment of patients with single sided deafness with or without tinnitus and with reduced quality of life. The current study additionally investigates the influence on health related quality of life and psychological comorbidities during a 6-month follow-up.
Methods:
Twenty-nine patients with single sided deafness were included in this prospective study and were assessed with the „Charité Test Battery“ before and 6 months after cochlear implantation. Assessment tools included Freiburg Monosyllabic Test (FES) and Oldenburg Inventory (OI) questionnaire for subjective speech perception, Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ) for tinnitus distress and Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) for health-related quality of life, psychological comorbidities with PSQ, ADSL, GAD 7, PSQ Scores.
Results:
The 6-month follow-up after cochlear implant treatment showed a significant improvement of subjective speech perception (FES, OI) and tinnitus distress (TQ). Furthermore there was a significant improvement of two subcategories of COPE (elusive coping, seeking for support) and PSQ (stress, requirement). After 6 months health related quality of life (NCIQ) and anxiety (GAD) have not yet improved.
Conclusion:
When considering a cochlear implant treatment for single sided deaf patients with a high tinnitus prevalence, it is important to also think about the improvement of tinnitus distress and health-related quality of life as well as psychological comorbidities during the 6-month follow-up. Further prospective data is in progress.
