
Abstract Objective The goal of the study was to determine the short- and long-term outcome of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults implanted with a Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB). Methods Twenty-one adults (8 females, 13 males; mean age at implantation: 57 ±10 years) who received a unilateral VSB for combined or conductive hearing loss, were administered two questionnaires: the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) as a measure of hearing-specific HRQoL, and the Health Utility Index 3 (HUI 3) as a measure of generic HRQoL. The questionnaires were administered before implantation and three, six, 12 and 24 months after processor activation. Results The NCIQ total score raised significantly from 62 points before implantation to 76 points at three months after processor activation (p < 0.005). Thereafter, no significant increases occurred anymore. The HUI 3 multi-attribute score (MAUS) increased from 0.59 before implantation to 0.70 at three months and at six months after processor activation and then declined slightly to 0.68 at 24 months after processor activation. Similar values were observed with the HUI 3 single-attribute score (SAUS) of Hearing. The increases of the HUI 3 scores were not statistically significant, but all pre-post-implantation differences were clinically relevant. Discussion VSB recipients experienced a quick improvement of their HRQoL. After just three months of device use, a significant improvement of hearing-specific HRQoL and a clinically relevant improvement of generic HRQoL were seen. After three months, no essential changes of HRQoL occurred in our sample, suggesting that the achieved level of HRQoL may remain stable in the long term.
Male, Adult, ddc:610, Hearing Loss, Conductive, Middle Aged, Prosthesis Design, Miscellaneous, Treatment Outcome, Hearing Aids, Surveys and Questionnaires [MeSH] ; Female [MeSH] ; Follow-Up Studies [MeSH] ; Aged [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Treatment Outcome [MeSH] ; Hearing Aids [MeSH] ; Middle Aged [MeSH] ; Hearing Loss, Conductive/rehabilitation [MeSH] ; Miscellaneous ; Hearing Loss, Conductive/surgery [MeSH] ; Quality of life ; Male [MeSH] ; Quality of Life [MeSH] ; Audiology ; Active middle ear Implant ; Prosthesis Design [MeSH], Surveys and Questionnaires, Quality of Life, Humans, Female, Aged, Follow-Up Studies
Male, Adult, ddc:610, Hearing Loss, Conductive, Middle Aged, Prosthesis Design, Miscellaneous, Treatment Outcome, Hearing Aids, Surveys and Questionnaires [MeSH] ; Female [MeSH] ; Follow-Up Studies [MeSH] ; Aged [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Treatment Outcome [MeSH] ; Hearing Aids [MeSH] ; Middle Aged [MeSH] ; Hearing Loss, Conductive/rehabilitation [MeSH] ; Miscellaneous ; Hearing Loss, Conductive/surgery [MeSH] ; Quality of life ; Male [MeSH] ; Quality of Life [MeSH] ; Audiology ; Active middle ear Implant ; Prosthesis Design [MeSH], Surveys and Questionnaires, Quality of Life, Humans, Female, Aged, Follow-Up Studies
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