Consultant
Christian Emil Faber
Department of Otolaryngology, Odense University Hospital
| Projekt styring | ||
| Projekt status | Active | |
| Data indsamlingsdatoer | ||
| Start | 01.01.2006 | |
| Slut | 31.12.2040 | |
Cochlear Implantation at Odense University Hospital - Risks and advantages
Short summary
Cochlear Implantation is a procedure that increases the quality of life, but it is not life-saving; comparison of the advantages and risks associated with implantation is important.
At the moment more than 70 adults are implanted each year at Odense University Hospital, and as of December 2010, approximately 219,000 people worldwide had received a cochlear implant. Moreover sequential and simultaneous bilateral implantations are becoming more frequent in many centers including ours. Thus knowledge of possible complications related to bilateral implantation is necessary.
Rationale
The aim of this study is to report the frequency of surgical complications and the advantages for the patients following cochlear implantations at Odense University Hospital.
Description of the cohort
The project will include adults receiving cochlear implants at Odense University Hospital. Pediatric patients (defined as under the age of 15) are, as a rule, not operated at our center and will not be included in the study.
Regular follow-up examinations and adjustments are typically scheduled one, six and 12 months later. Subsequently patients are offered further follow-up examinations on request. The patients are seen by a doctor at the attachment of the external speech processor, and at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Assistant audiologists are present at every visit. Otomicroscopy, audiometric testing, vestibular testing, auditory brainstem response (ABR), medical history and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporal bone are included in the preoperative evaluation of candidacy for cochlear implant surgery in all patients.
Data and biological material
Questionnaire surveys: All patients will be asked to complete two questionnaires; one before and one 12 months after their operation. These questionnaires are concerned with the patient's own assessment of their hearing impairment. Patients are asked to grade the extent of challenges in communicating with other people and to evaluate their well-being for a period of four weeks.
Clinical data: The medical records will be examined for complications arising following or during surgery. Additional, dates of any patient deaths and/or re-implantations will be registered. The length of follow-up will be calculated as the time spent from implantation until re-implantation, death or the time for data extraction.Collaborating researchers and departments
Department of Audiology, Odense University Hospital