Outcomes of Cochlear Implants in Congenitally Deafened Adults 1.2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Outcomes of Cochlear Implants in Congenitally, Pre- and Peri- lingually Deafened Adults
IRAS ID
220633
Contact name
Sarah Bent
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that replaces the function of the damaged inner ear in cases of severe-profound hearing loss. Historically, adults deafened prior to or during language development were deemed unsuitable candidates for cochlear implants. This is due to the long duration of deafness and deprivation of the auditory system resulting in uncertainty regarding the benefit these patients would receive. In recent years, there have been a number of congenitally, pre- and peri-lingually deafened patients implanted in adulthood at the North Wales Cochlear Implant Program (NWCIP) and they have been found to receive benefit from their implants.
The majority of published research on measuring outcomes of cochlear implants in this patient group has used speech tests (scoring patients on their ability to perceive and understand speech). Despite the positive experiences reported by these patients, they score poorly in these tests. Hence, there is no way of accurately measuring and recording the outcomes these patients achieve from cochlear implantation.
Exploring the experiences of these patients in order to better understand the types of outcomes they achieve could lead to future research into developing standard outcome measures. Understanding the outcomes these patients achieve may also provide some insight into pre-operative indicators of a successful outcome.
This research project aims to qualitatively investigate the outcomes of cochlear implants in congenitally, pre- and peri-lingually deafened adults who received implants in adulthood through investigating their experiences by conducting semi-structured interviews.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0348
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion