Changes in participatory and societal outcomes during the waiting period for cochlear implantation - an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Various factors, including an aging population and expanding eligibility criteria, may increase the demand for cochlear implants (CIs), potentially resulting in longer waiting times. In most Dutch CI centers, the time between referral and surgery exceeds 6 months. Clinical experience suggests that during the waiting period for cochlear implantation, hearing and communication difficulties increase. Simultaneously, there is an interest in outcomes more closely aligned with patient values and needs, which resulted in the SMILE (Societal Merit of Interventions on hearing Loss Evaluation) study. This paper presents results on observed changes in societal and participatory outcomes during waiting time in participants with a time to CI surgery exceeding 6 months.

Methods</

SUBMITTER: Nijmeijer HGB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11805756 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature