Rehabilitation of telephone communication in cochlear-implanted adults.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Telephone use correlates with quality of life, and is one of the most important expectations of cochlear implant candidates. The aim of the present study was to assess the benefit of a progressive intensive 18-session training program, conducted by telephone in cochlear implant recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine cochlear-implanted adults underwent telerehabilitation focused on telephone use, with before-and-after assessment of auditory performance, on Lafon monosyllabic words and MBAA sentences in quiet, cocktail-party noise and by phone; telephone use, on ad-hoc surveys and number of calls per week; and quality of life on ERSA and APHAB questionnaires. RESULTS: Before training, monosyllabic word comprehension was poorer by telephone than by direct voice (64±5.7% vs. 26±5.3%; P<0.05). After the 6-week training, there was improvement in the "note taking" telephone message task (85.0±3.7 vs. 50.0±9.0 out of 100; P<0.001), daily phone use (57.0±4.3 vs. 29±5.4 out of 100; P<0.0001), and number of calls in the week before assessment (0.0±0.0 vs. 11.0±3.0; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A progressive intensive training program by telephone improved phone use in the daily life of cochlear-implanted adults.