Early cochlear implantation in prelingual profound hearing loss in Italy, analyzed by means of a social media survey.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess newborn hearing screening (NHS) impact on timing of cochlear implant (CI) surgery of patients with prelingual bilateral profound hearing impairment (BPHI), in order to evaluate whether the NHS ultimately serves the needs of the target population in Italy.

Methods

An online questionnaire was created to survey subjects affected by prelingual BPHL born between 1990 and 2018. Questions focused on age at BPHI diagnosis, first and second CI surgery (if performed), and the region in which the surgery was performed. The survey was distributed to potential participants via social media communities used by hearing impaired people or their family members for sharing advice and offering support. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results<

SUBMITTER: Orzan E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9935678 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature