Quality of Life among Cochlear Implant Recipients

Cochlear implantation is considered a well-established treatment for severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing loss often affects negatively to the quality of life (QOL). It may be associated with impaired speech, social isolation, psychological and professional development, and feelings of inferiority. These factors can result in emotional problems such as low self-esteem, loneliness, and depression. Bilateral profound hearing loss often results in impaired interpersonal relationships. After cochlear implantation, prelingual deafness patients’ QOL and speech recognition may have greatly improved. Despite this, there is little study on the satisfaction level in cochlear implantees who had long periods of hearing deprivation. Not much study has been done on the implantees’ QOL. This review article discusses the prevalence, cochlear implantation related comorbidities, factors of cochlear implant recipients affecting QOL, social acceptance, psychological acceptance, issues in the elderly age, complications associated with cochlear implantation, postcochlear implant status, and QOL assessment related to cochlear implant surgery.