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Influence of Postponed Follow-Up after Cochlear Implant Activation during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Aided Sound Field Detection and Speech Recognition.
Vos, Teresa G; Brown, Kevin D; Buss, Emily; Bucker, Andrea L; Dedmon, Matthew M; O'Connell, Brendan P; Raymond, Jenna; Dillon, Margaret T.
  • Vos TG; Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • Brown KD; Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • Buss E; Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • Bucker AL; Department of Audiology, UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • Dedmon MM; Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • O'Connell BP; Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • Raymond J; Department of Audiology, UNC Health Care, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
  • Dillon MT; Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Audiol Neurootol ; 27(3): 227-234, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1528607
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

The objective of this study was to assess the influence of postponing the first post-activation follow-up due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the aided sound field detection thresholds and speech recognition of cochlear implant (CI) users.

METHODS:

A retrospective review was performed at a tertiary referral center. Two groups of adult CI recipients were evaluated (1) patients whose first post-activation follow-up was postponed due to COVID-19 closures (postponed group; n = 10) and (2) a control group that attended recommended post-activation follow-ups prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (control group; n = 18). For both groups, electric thresholds were estimated at initial activation based on comfort levels and were measured behaviorally at subsequent post-activation follow-ups. For the control group, behavioral thresholds were measured at the 1-month follow-up. For the postponed group, behavioral thresholds were not measured until 3 months post-activation since the 1-month follow-up was postponed. The aided pure-tone average (PTA) and word recognition results were compared between groups at the 3-month follow-up and at an interim visit 2-9 weeks later.

RESULTS:

At the 3-month follow-up, the postponed group had significantly poorer word recognition (23 vs. 42%, p = 0.027) and aided PTA (42 vs. 37 dB HL, p = 0.041) than the control group. No significant differences were observed between 3-month data from the control group and interim data from the postponed group.

CONCLUSIONS:

The postponed follow-up after CI activation was associated with poorer outcomes, both in terms of speech recognition and aided audibility. However, these detrimental effects were reversed following provision of an individualized map, with behaviorally measured electric threshold and comfort levels. While adult CI recipients demonstrate an improvement in speech recognition with estimated electric thresholds, the present results suggest that behavioral mapping within the initial weeks of device use may support optimal outcomes.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Speech Perception / Cochlear Implants / Cochlear Implantation / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Humans Language: English Journal: Audiol Neurootol Journal subject: Audiology / Psychophysiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 000519908

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Speech Perception / Cochlear Implants / Cochlear Implantation / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Humans Language: English Journal: Audiol Neurootol Journal subject: Audiology / Psychophysiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 000519908