Computer-based Auditory Training by New Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients Is Associated With Durable Improvements in Cochlear Implant Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective: The process of adapting to communicate with a cochlear implant (CI) is complex. The use of auditory training after cochlear implantation may help to facilitate improvements in postoperative speech recognition and quality-of-life outcomes in new adult CI recipients. However, the effectiveness of auditory training remains uncertain and long-term effects have not been examined in a large sample of new adult CI users. As such, the objective of this study was to examine the influence of common forms of auditory training on speech recognition and CI-related quality-of-life (CI-related QOL) outcomes at 1 year after cochlear implantation. We hypothesized that patients who reported use of computer-based auditory training (CBAT) would show improved speech and CIQOL-35 Profile scores at 1 year after activation of their implant, compared with their peers. Design: This study was designed as a prospective study and was undertaken at a tertiary academic CI center. Participants included 114 adults undergoing cochlear implantation for bilateral hearing loss. Patients serially self-reported use of the following types of post-CI auditory training over their first-year postactivation: (1) face-to-face training (e.g., speech-language pathologist), (2) passive home-based training (e.g., listening to audiobooks), and (3) CBAT (e.g., self-directed software). Outcomes measures for this study included change in Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant phoneme (CNCp), CNC word (CNCw), AzBio sentences in quiet, and CIQOL-35 Profile global and domain scores from pre-CI to 12-mo post-CI. Results: Of 114 patients, 94 (82.5%) used one or more auditory training resources. Of these, 19.3% used face-to-face training, 67.5% passive home-based training, and 46.5% CBAT. Of 114 patients, 73 had complete CIQOL data. At 12 mo, only CBAT use was associated with significantly greater improvements in global and all domain-specific CIQOL scores (d-range = 0.72–0.87), compared with those not using CBAT. Controlling for demographics and use of multiple training resources, CBAT remained the strongest positive predictor of CIQOL improvement, with significant associations with global score (ß = 12.019[4.127,19.9]) and all domain scores at 12-mo post-CI: communication (ß = 11.937[2.456,21.318), emotional (ß = 12.293[1.827,22.759), entertainment (ß = 17.014[5.434,28.774), environment (ß = 13.771[1.814,25.727]), listening effort (ß = 12.523[2.798,22.248]), and social (ß = 18.114[7.403,28.826]). No significant benefits were noted with use of CBAT or any other form of auditory training and speech recognition scores at 12-mo post-CI (d-range = –0.12–0.22). Conclusions: Auditory training with CBAT was associated with improved CI-related QOL outcomes at 12-mo post-CI. Given its availability and low cost, this study provides evidence to support using CBAT to improve real-world functional abilities in new adult CI recipients.