Cochlear implant outcomes in adults with long period of deafness

• Grant number: 17/25283-6
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal researcher: Ana Claudia Martinho de Carvalho
• Grantee: Giulia Wang Catalani
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The clinical results obtained in the general population with Cochlear Implant (CI) over the last decades, demonstrate the effectiveness of this electronic device in providing enough peripheral stimulation for the perception of speech sounds, in order to impact directly quality of life of its users. However, not all users benefit from this access to the sounds in the same way and at the same intensity, and in clinical practice there is variability between results. In adults with post-lingual hearing loss, cortical changes after implantation should be further explored, considering the intervention strategy and the auditory rehabilitation process adopted after hearing loss. In this scenario, the sensorial deprivation time stands out as an important aspect to be evaluated, considering prognosis of each case and the plastic capacities of the Central Auditory Nervous System (SNAC). Objective: To evaluate the results of speech perception and quality of life in adults with CI with sensory deprivation time of more than 10 years. Methods: A cross-sectional and clinical study evaluating the results of speech perception and quality of life in 20 adult with CI, who presented at the time of surgical indication, time of sensorial deprivation greater than 10 years. The research will be developed over 12 months in the Department of Physical Therapy, Speech/Audiology and Occupational Therapy of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo. The evaluation of speech perception will be performed in an acoustic booth, with speech intensity at 65 dBNA, from the application of a list of sentences and monosyllabic words available in Brazilian Portuguese. The quality of life assessment will be obtained from the application of the Nijmegen Cochlear Implants Questionnaire (NCIQ-P). All the procedures will be performed together and the results obtained will be correlated with the variables time of sensory deprivation, gender and time of use of the CI. Main contributions of the study: The evaluation of the impact of sensory deprivation time for the results of speech perception and quality of life in adults with CI with long time of sensorial deprivation can contribute to the process of orientation and indication of new candidates; in the validation of results; in conducting the therapeutic process and in the analysis of existing public health policies. (AU)