Impacts of COVID-19 on Experiences and Treatment Outcomes in Cochlear Implantation Patients

LIU Zhaoying; TANG Fei; XU Xin; CAO Wei; YANG Chongling; WANG Minhua; MA Qingyun; LIU Jun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2922.2023.05.008

Abstract：Objective To assess impacts on experiences of cochlear implantation(CI)patients by COVID-19 and effects of targeted mitigation strategies.Methods Of 55 patients receiving CI during the COVID-19 pandemic,some went through standard care(Group A,n=33),while measures to mitigate COVID impacts were adopted for the rest pa-tients(Group B,n=22).Patients in Group A completed a questionnaire regarding their experiences specifically with CI related care to identify COVID-19 related influencing factors,and those in Group B completed a different questionnaire on their satisfaction toward strategies adopted to mitigate COVID-19 related constraints.Patients to both groups com-pleted a questionnaire on the overall experience with their care.The answers to the questionnaires were compared be-tween the two groups along with their CAP and SIR scale scores.Results Closed inpatient management policy(75.76%),travel restriction(66.67%),and limited speech training(63.64%)were the main factors affecting CI related care.Family members'presence(4.82±0.40),detailed explanation of treatment plans(4.73±0.55)and fast tracks for ex-amination/surgery(4.59±0.80)were the most important factors contributing to satisfaction which was rating 78.78%in Group A and 100.00%in Group B(P=0.034).At 6 months after surgery,CAP scores of Groups A and B were 4.5±2.2 and 4.3±2.1,respectively(P=0.645),and SIR scores of Groups A and B were 3.9±1.0 and 3.6±1.3,respectively(P= 0.224).Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic affected all aspects of CI related care.Targeted mitigating strategies im-proved patient satisfaction,albeit with no significant effect on short-term auditory speech rehabilitation outcomes.