Brian Hixon|Stephen A. Chan|Margaret Adkins|Jennifer B. Shinn|Matthew L. Bush
Timing and Impact of Hearing Healthcare in Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients
University of Kentucky|University of Kentucky
objective purpose study compare timing impact hearing healthcare rural urban adults severe hearing loss use cochlear implants ci study design crosssectional questionnaire study setting tertiary referral center patients adult cochlear implant recipients main outcome measures data collected included county residence socioeconomic information impact hearing loss educationemployment timing hearing loss treatment benefits obtained cochlear implantation also evaluated results 91 participants 32 urban counties 26 moderately rural counties 33 extremely rural counties rural participants longer commute time ci center p 0001 lower income p 0001 higher percentage medicaid coverage p 0004 compared urbanmetro participants rural participants gradually progressive hearing loss greater time interval onset hearing loss obtaining hearing aid amplification 10 yr versus 5 yr p 004 also greater time interval onset hearing loss time cochlear implantation rural participants p 004 reported job loss higher rural participants urban participants p 005 groups reported comparable benefit cochlear implantation conclusion rural ci recipients differ urban residents socioeconomic characteristics may delayed timely treatment hearing loss efforts expand access hearing healthcare services may benefit rural adult patients