Patient perspectives on the need for improved hearing rehabilitation: A qualitative survey study of German cochlear implant users

2023-01-23 | journal article. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.

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​Patient perspectives on the need for improved hearing rehabilitation: A qualitative survey study of German cochlear implant users​
Hunniford, V.; Kühler, R.; Wolf, B.; Keppeler, D. ; Strenzke, N.   & Moser, T. ​ (2023) 
Frontiers in Neuroscience17.​ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1105562 

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Authors
Hunniford, Victoria; Kühler, Robert; Wolf, Bettina; Keppeler, Daniel ; Strenzke, Nicola ; Moser, Tobias 
Abstract
Background The electrical cochlear implant (eCI) partially restores hearing in individuals affected by profound hearing impairment (HI) or deafness. However, the limited resolution of sound frequency coding with eCIs limits hearing in daily situations such as group conversations. Current research promises future improvements in hearing restoration which may involve gene therapy and optical stimulation of the auditory nerve, using optogenetics. Prior to the potential clinical translation of these technologies, it is critical that patients are engaged in order to align future research agendas and technological advancements with their needs. Methods Here, we performed a survey study with hearing impaired, using an eCI as a means of hearing rehabilitation. We distributed a questionnaire to 180 adult patients from the University Medical Center Göttingen’s Department of Otolaryngology who were actively using an eCI for 6 months or more during the time of the survey period. Questions revolved around patients needs, and willingness to accept hypothetical risks or drawbacks associated with an optical CI (oCI). Results Eighty-one participants responded to the questionnaire; 68% were greater than 60 years of age and 26% had bilateral eCIs. Participants expressed a need for improving the performance beyond that experienced with their current eCI. Primarily, they desired improved speech comprehension in background noise, greater ability to appreciate music, and more natural sound impression. They expressed a willingness for engaging with new technologies for improved hearing restoration. Notably, participants were least concerned about hypothetically receiving a gene therapy necessary for the oCI implant; but expressed greater reluctance to hypothetically receiving an implant that had yet to be evaluated in a human clinical trial. Conclusion This work provides a preliminary step in engaging patients in the development of a new technology that has the potential to address the limitations of electrical hearing rehabilitation.
Issue Date
23-January-2023
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroscience 
Project
EXC 2067: Multiscale Bioimaging 
Organization
Deutsches Primatenzentrum 
Working Group
RG Moser (Molecular Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of Sound Encoding) 
External URL
https://mbexc.uni-goettingen.de/literature/publications/644
eISSN
1662-453X
Language
English

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