Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jikei University Hospital.
University of Tsukuba.
Auris Nasus Larynx. 2020 Oct;47(5):793-799. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2020.04.010. Epub 2020 Jun 11.
This study investigated factors related to the satisfaction level of cochlear implants for the elderly.
A survey was conducted by sending an anonymous self-reported questionnaire to medical facilities specializing in cochlear implantation throughout Japan and members of cochlear implant self-help groups aged 65 years and older. The subjects were divided into two age-based groups (under 75 and 75 years and older) to analyze the usage of cochlear implants. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze factors related to the satisfaction level of the recipients with hearing improvements provided by cochlear implants (p<0.05).
Responses were received from 60 cochlear implant users. The mean age of the respondents was 74.9±6.87 (mean ± 1SD) years. The mean cochlear implant use was 12.4 ± 4.0 (mean ± 1SD) hours per day. Regarding satisfaction with the cochlear implants, 93.3% responded "somewhat satisfactory" or better, indicating at least moderate satisfaction. However, fewer respondents in the 75-years and older group reported feeling "satisfactory" or better (chi-square test, p<0.05). Concerning device operation and management, difficulties including volume adjustment, switching between program, and exchanging cables, were reported. Among the patient-reported indices of postoperative hearing improvements studied, their ability to hear and comprehend conversations with family members and information provided at reception desks were most associated with user satisfaction with cochlear implants.
Many elderly patients were satisfied with their cochlear implants; however, respondents in the 75-years and older group had lower levels of satisfaction compared to those in respondents in the under-75-years group. Elderly patients had problems with more complex operations and management of their cochlear implants. Moreover, they were satisfied with their ability to comprehend familiar, everyday conversations. These factors related to satisfaction level may be useful in providing valuable rehabilitation for elderly patients with cochlear implants.
本研究旨在探讨与老年人工耳蜗植入者满意度相关的因素。
通过向日本各地专门从事人工耳蜗植入的医疗机构和 65 岁及以上的人工耳蜗自助小组的成员发送匿名自我报告问卷，进行了一项调查。将受试者分为两个年龄组（75 岁以下和 75 岁以上），以分析人工耳蜗的使用情况。采用二项逻辑回归分析与人工耳蜗植入后听力改善满意度相关的因素（p<0.05）。
共收到 60 名人工耳蜗植入使用者的回复。受访者的平均年龄为 74.9±6.87 岁（均值±1SD）。平均每天使用人工耳蜗 12.4±4.0 小时（均值±1SD）。对于人工耳蜗的满意度，93.3%的人回答“有些满意”或更好，表明至少有中度满意度。然而，75 岁及以上组报告“满意”或更好的人数较少（卡方检验，p<0.05）。在设备操作和管理方面，报告了包括音量调节、程序切换和更换电缆在内的困难。在术后听力改善的患者报告指标中，他们与家人交谈和理解、在接待处获取信息的能力与人工耳蜗植入者的满意度最相关。
许多老年患者对他们的人工耳蜗感到满意；然而，与 75 岁以下年龄组的患者相比，75 岁及以上年龄组的患者满意度较低。老年患者在人工耳蜗的操作和管理方面存在更多问题。此外，他们对理解熟悉的日常对话的能力感到满意。这些与满意度相关的因素可能有助于为老年人工耳蜗植入者提供有价值的康复。
