Cochlear implantation is beneficial for elderly patients with severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss as demonstrated by long-term stability of function, with the caveat that some individuals may experience significant decreases in speech recognition over time. However, unique management challenges resulting from age-related cognitive decline, health problems, and/or reduced dexterity may present themselves. Audiologists must keep these issues in mind during preoperative counseling and when structuring postoperative follow-up sessions.
Purpose
The Cochlear Implant Skills Review (CISR) was developed as a measure of cochlear implant (CI) users' skills and knowledge regarding device use. This study aimed to determine intra- and interrater reliability and agreement and establish construct validity for the CISR.
Method
In this study, the CISR was developed and administered to a cohort of 30 adult CI users. Participants included new CI users with less than 1 year of CI experience and experienced CI users with greater than 1 year of CI experience. The CISR administration required participants to demonstrate skills using the various features of their CI processors. Intra- and interrater reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients, agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa, and construct validity was assessed by relating CISR performance to duration of CI use.
Results
Overall reliability for the entire instrument was 92.7%. Inter- and intrarater agreement were generally substantial or higher. Duration of CI use was a significant predictor of CISR performance.
Conclusions
The CISR is a reliable and valid assessment measure of device skills and knowledge for adult CI users. Clinicians can use this tool to evaluate areas of needed instruction and counseling and to assess users' skills over time.
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