Patient barriers: adult cochlear implantation systematic review

The literature across a 35-year time span highlights disproportionately low rates of cochlear implantation among adults compared to paediatric populations, despite the significant benefits of cochlear implants (CIs) for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. Barriers span psychological, informational,...

How do you know what you don’t know?

Auditory processing disorder (APD) has been a subject for discussion for the last 20 years. Though the body of research is growing, it still lacks cohesive diagnostic and management criteria. Similar surveys on APD have taken place in other countries....

ADHEAR in the paediatric population

ADHEAR is a non-surgical bone conduction device (BCD) available from Med-El from 2017. It uses an adhesive adapter consisting of a soft rubber pad with a centre rigid plate that has a snap coupling for attachment of a sound processor....

Telehealth for cochlear implant follow-up care

For individuals with moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implants are a highly effective form of hearing rehabilitation. Despite their effectiveness, utilisation is low, with approximately only 12.7% of suitable adult candidates receiving implants. Barriers to access include the geographic distribution...

Improving music perception in cochlear implant users

Can you imagine a world without music? In the words of Hans Christian Anderson, a prolific 19th-century Danish author, “Where words fail, music speaks.” This quote highlights music’s importance as a language of emotions that transcends linguistic barriers. This case...

Starry eyed?

Attentive listening and active listening skills suggest that eye movement is an important factor in subject engagement. Indeed, when asked, AI suggests gaze is held for 70% of the time when listening. Although the route of this percentage is unclear,...

Benefits of bilateral cochlear implants

In an ideal world, if you could increase the clinical use of bilateral cochlear implant (CI) treatment, would you? If you’re interested in exploring the clinical benefits of bilateral CIs, or how reviews can directly inform patient care, this systematic...

Keep on moving

This study compared the differences in localisation of sound between those with symmetrical hearing within normal limits (NH) and those with single-sided deafness (SSD). Unsurprisingly, those with SSD took longer to localise sounds and had a higher error rate. Although...

The cocktail party conundrum

I feel, with slight sadness and disappointment, that a good cocktail party, dresses, punch bowls and all is not currently in its heyday and, therefore, opportunity of attending is slim. However, from what I remember, they tend to be a...

Meaningful life changes following hearing aid use: a qualitative user perspective

Part of a larger survey on hearing aid outcomes and experiences, this US-based study explores meaningful life changes due to hearing aid use in adults, with the aim of contributing to and improving all aspects of aural rehabilitation for this...

Cognitive development in children with cochlear implants

This systematic review investigates the comparative cognitive outcomes in children using bilateral versus unilateral cochlear implants, as well as those using cochlear implants versus hearing aids. The review synthesises findings from 30 studies involving a total of 11,986 children and...

Occupation, role and performance in adults: a comparative study

The authors investigate the occupations of adults with cochlear implants (CI) compared to those with hearing impairment without implants (HI) and individuals with normal hearing (NH). A total of 204 participants were included: 98 CI users, 52 HI individuals and...