Occupational performance of cochlear implant users: a comparative study with other hearing-impaired and normal-hearing individuals

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare occupational performance of cochlear implant (CI) users to that of adults with hearing impairment without CI and those with normal hearing (NH). We used the Amsterdam Checklist for Hearing and Work to assess job characteristics, hearing activities, need for recovery and other outcomes. We included 204 adults: 98 CI users (mean age 51), 52 participants with hearing impairment, without CI (HI group, mean age 49) and 54 participants with NH (NH group, mean age 46). Job characteristics were similar between the groups, but the CI and HI groups were significantly more likely to report (effortful) communication in noise compared to the NH group. Need for recovery was significantly higher in the HI than in the NH group, but the CI and NH groups showed no significant difference. The CI group needed less guidance in managing their hearing loss in the workplace than the HI group did. The relatively favourable outcomes for CI users in need for recovery and reduced need for guidance at work may be due to the extensive training and counselling they received as part of their rehabilitation program.