Actividad laboral en pacientes tratados con implantes cocleares / Work activity in patients treated with cochlear implants

Introducción. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer el impacto que el implante coclear (IC) tiene en la vida laboral de las personas implantadas, a través de una primera versión de un cuestionario elaborado en el programa de implantes cocleares de la Clínica Universidad de Navarra. Se pretende demostrar que el IC está teniendo un impacto significativo en la vida laboral de estos pacientes. Material y métodos. Se estudia una población de 60 pacientes de 48 años de edad media, con hipoacusia neurosensorial profunda bilateral tratada con un IC, a la que se le presenta un cuestionario elaborado para evaluar su calidad de vida laboral con carácter retrospectivo. Resultados. El 94,23% de los pacientes que completaron el cuestionario están actualmente satisfechos con su trabajo. El 93,05% se sienten más motivados para ir a trabajar tras su IC. Un 79,31% se consideran más competentes tras la cirugía y activación del dispositivo. Un 67,23% de los pacientes han mejorado sus relaciones interpersonales en el ámbito de trabajo tras la implantación coclear. Conclusiones. El IC proporciona una ayuda positiva en la esfera profesional al igual que en las destrezas sociales al beneficiar la capacidad de comunicación de los pacientes implantados. El desarrollo de herramientas para evaluar el grado de satisfacción laboral de los pacientes tratados con un IC es de gran interés (AU)

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the impact that the cochlear implant (CI) had in the working life of individuals implanted, using the first version of a questionnaire developed in the cochlear implant program at the University Clinic of Navarre. Its purpose was to demonstrate that the CI significantly affected the working lives of these patients. Material and methods. This was a retrospection study on a population of 60 patients (mean age, 48 years old) with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss treated with CI and to whom a questionnaire on working life satisfaction was given. Results. Of the patients completing the questionnaire, 94.23% were currently satisfied at work. Almost all of them (93.05%) were more motivated to go to work after the implantation. The majority (79.31%) considered themselves more competent after surgery and device activation. Social relations at work were considered to have improved after cochlear implantation by 67.23% of patients. Conclusions. The CI provided positive support in the professional sphere as well as in social abilities by improving communication skills of implanted patients. The development of tools to assess the degree of job satisfaction of patients treated with a CI is of great interest (AU)

Work activity in patients treated with cochlear implants. / Actividad laboral en pacientes tratados con implantes cocleares.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the impact that the cochlear implant (CI) had in the working life of individuals implanted, using the first version of a questionnaire developed in the cochlear implant program at the University Clinic of Navarre. Its purpose was to demonstrate that the CI significantly affected the working lives of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospection study on a population of 60 patients (mean age, 48 years old) with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss treated with CI and to whom a questionnaire on working life satisfaction was given. RESULTS: Of the patients completing the questionnaire, 94.23% were currently satisfied at work. Almost all of them (93.05%) were more motivated to go to work after the implantation. The majority (79.31%) considered themselves more competent after surgery and device activation. Social relations at work were considered to have improved after cochlear implantation by 67.23% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The CI provided positive support in the professional sphere as well as in social abilities by improving communication skills of implanted patients. The development of tools to assess the degree of job satisfaction of patients treated with a CI is of great interest.