Anthony M Tolisano1, Lilly B Fang2, Joe Walter Kutz3, Brandon Isaacson3, Jacob B Hunter3. 1. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA. Electronic address: anthony.m.tolisano.mil@mail.mil. 2. University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA. 3. Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Describe the effect of hearing aid type used during cochlear implantation evaluation on qualification rates. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients at an academic cochlear implant program undergoing cochlear implantation evaluation were identified to determine cochlear implantation qualification rate according to history of hearing aid use and type of hearing aid used during evaluation. RESULTS: 609 patients met criteria. 90.1% of patients reported prior use of a hearing aid, and 77.4% reported current use of a hearing aid. Patients were most likely to undergo cochlear implantation evaluation utilizing their own personal hearing aids exclusively (61.6%) followed by loaner hearing aids fitted at the time of the evaluation (28.2%). White patients were more likely to be tested using personal hearing aids (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.43 to 4.71). Married patients were more likely to be current hearing aid users (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.51) and were more likely to be tested using personal hearing aids (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.56). Patients with a history of any hearing aid use (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.40) and current hearing aid use (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.49) were more likely to qualify for cochlear implantation. Patients tested using personal hearing aids were 1.5 times more likely to qualify for cochlear implantation (95% CI 0.99 to 2.27). CONCLUSION: History of hearing amplification and current amplification predict cochlear implant qualification. Hearing aids fitted at the time of cochlear implantation evaluation may result in lower qualification rates.
OBJECTIVE: Describe the effect of hearing aid type used during cochlear implantation evaluation on qualification rates. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients at an academic cochlear implant program undergoing cochlear implantation evaluation were identified to determine cochlear implantation qualification rate according to history of hearing aid use and type of hearing aid used during evaluation. RESULTS: 609 patients met criteria. 90.1% of patients reported prior use of a hearing aid, and 77.4% reported current use of a hearing aid. Patients were most likely to undergo cochlear implantation evaluation utilizing their own personal hearing aids exclusively (61.6%) followed by loaner hearing aids fitted at the time of the evaluation (28.2%). White patients were more likely to be tested using personal hearing aids (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.43 to 4.71). Married patients were more likely to be current hearing aid users (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.51) and were more likely to be tested using personal hearing aids (OR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.56). Patients with a history of any hearing aid use (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 1.42 to 4.40) and current hearing aid use (OR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.49) were more likely to qualify for cochlear implantation. Patients tested using personal hearing aids were 1.5 times more likely to qualify for cochlear implantation (95% CI 0.99 to 2.27). CONCLUSION: History of hearing amplification and current amplification predict cochlear implant qualification. Hearing aids fitted at the time of cochlear implantation evaluation may result in lower qualification rates.