The effect of tinnitus on hearing-related quality of life outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients

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Authors

Opperman, Elmien
Le Roux, Talita
Masenge, Andries
Eikelboom, Robert H.

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Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE : To describe the effect of tinnitus distress on the hearing-related quality of life (QoL) outcomes over time in adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients. DESIGN : A retrospective, longitudinal study of adult CI recipients was conducted. Hearing-related QoL and tinnitus distress were assessed using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Tinnitus Reaction Questionnaire (TRQ) preoperatively and at 6-months, 12-months and >24-month postoperatively. The association between tinnitus distress and hearing-related QoL outcomes over time was investigated. Furthermore, 13 potential predictive factors were identified from the retrospective dataset. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify variables that influence hearing-related QoL outcomes over time. STUDY SAMPLE : The study sample included 210 adult (≥18 years) CI recipients implanted between 2001 and 2017. RESULTS : Lower tinnitus distress and younger age at implantation were significant predictors of better hearing-related QoL in adult CI recipients. A significant reduction in tinnitus distress up to two years post-implantation was found, as well as greater tinnitus distress correlating with poorer hearing-related QoL outcomes. CONCLUSION : Tinnitus distress negatively affects the hearing-related QoL outcomes of adult CI recipients. Tinnitus distress and age at implantation were found to be significant predictors of hearing-related QoL when controlling for other predictive factors.

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Keywords

Adult cochlear implantation, Cochlear implant, Quality of life (QoL), Tinnitus, Tinnitus distress

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Citation

Elmien Opperman, Talita le Roux, Andries Masenge & Robert H. Eikelboom (2021) The effect of tinnitus on hearing-related quality of life outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients, International Journal of Audiology, 60:4, 246-254, DOI:10.1080/14992027.2020.1828633.