Sound quality in adult cochlear implant recipients using the HISQUI₁₉

Abstract

Conclusion: On average, adult CI recipients report a moderate sound quality using the Dutch version of the HISQUI₁₉ questionnaire. These results are correlated with their age, speech perception scores, CI aided hearing thresholds, and the SSQ₅ and the APHAB questionnaire. Background: The general aim of the study was to assess sound quality in adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients and to link these findings to other patients reported outcome measures (PROM) and subject characteristics. Therefore, the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI₁₉), which was translated into Dutch, was used. This user-friendly instrument quantifies sound quality experienced by hearing implant users. Methods: The Dutch version of the original German HISQUI₁₉ was obtained by the process of translation and back-translation. The HISQUI₁₉ was assessed in 65 experienced adult CI users at the Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) department of the Antwerp University Hospital to assess a sound quality profile of experiences adult CI recipients. Therefore, descriptive statistics were used to summarize the mean, standard deviation, and ceiling or floor effects of the total HISQUI₁₉ scores in a CI population. Spearman correlations between the HISQUI₁₉ scores and objective audiological measures and other PROM were investigated (APHAB and SSQ₅ questionnaire). Results: The mean HISQUI₁₉ score of the Dutch version in adult CI recipients was 64.9 (SD = 20.8), which corresponds to moderate sound quality. The psychometric characters of the Dutch questionnaire are similar to the characters of the original HISQUI₁₉ questionnaire, emphasizing good internal consistency (α = 0.93) and construct validity. Moderate correlation was found with speech perception in quiet (r = 0.36, p < 0.01), speech perception in noise (r = 0.29, p < 0.05), CI aided Pure Tone Average (PTA_{0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz}) of the subjects (r = 0.34, p < 0.01), and the age of the subject (r = 0.38, p < 0.01). Gender did not influence the experienced sound quality significantly. Furthermore, the relation to other questionnaires was found to be significantly strong (SSQ₅: r = 0.68 and the APHAB: r = 0.64; p < 0.01).

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the patients who graciously gave their time and effort to participate, Dr Anne-Marie d’Hooge, who assisted with the translation, and Kristien Wouters, for her valuable statistical contribution. This work was supported by a MED-EL grant.

Declaration of interest: The Antwerp University Hospital is currently receiving a grant from MED-EL. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.