Job satisfaction and quality of life in adult users of bone conduction hearing devices pre-and post-implantation: a 1-year follow-up study

Abstract

Objective

Hearing loss is a growing public health issue that significantly impacts both health-related quality of life and working life. This study investigates how hearing rehabilitation with bone conduction hearing implants impacts health-related quality of life and working life in adults of working age with hearing impairment.

Design

This longitudinal study used data from Cochlear’s Implant Recipient Observational Study to assess hearing disabilities and job satisfaction in 18–65-year-old recipients of bone conduction hearing implants. Baseline data were collected pre-implantation and patients were followed-up at 12-months post-implantation.

Study sample

Patient demographics, Health Utilities Index Mark 3, the Speech Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale, and self-reported employment data are presented for a sample ranging from 30 to 43 patients, pre-implantation and at 12-months follow-up following implantation with a bone conduction hearing implant.

Results

Significant improvements in hearing and speech attribute, and overall health-related quality of life were observed between pre-and post-implantation. Overall hearing disability decreased post-implantation and job satisfaction improved.

Conclusions

Hearing rehabilitation using bone conduction hearing implants are shown to improve health-related quality of life, reduce hearing disability, and improve work performance and satisfaction. Results are representative of healthy and actively working users of bone conduction hearing implants.

Keywords:

• Job satisfaction
• quality of life
• bone anchored hearing aids
• hearing loss

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Herbert Mauch, Jasmin Kaur, Colin Irwin, and Josie Wyss for design, implementation, and management of the IROS register from which study data were derived. The authors would also like to thank participating patients and clinicians; Dr Adriana Rivas, Dr Rafael Jaramillo, Dr Margarita Schwarz Langer, Dr Jose Eduardo Guzman, Dr Julian Alejandro Ramirez Osorio, Dr Santiago Hernandez, Dr Jorge Almario, Dr Jose Gabriel Lora, Dr Adelaida Plazas, Dr Henry Leonardo Martinez, Dr Jose Omar Gutierrez, Dr Mario Gonzalez, Dr Jose Alberto Prieto, Dr Jaime Arturo Torres, Prof. Wioletta Pietruszewska, Dr Piotr Winiarski, Dr Jozef Mierzwinski, and Dr Tomasz Pychynski.

Disclosure statement

H. H. and A. T. L. are current employees of Cochlear Limited, a manufacturer and supplier of bone conduction hearing devices.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Cochlear Limited.