Remote Programming of Cochlear Implants. Otol Neurotol 2019 Mar;40(3):e260-e266
Date
02/12/2019Pubmed ID
30741905Pubmed Central ID
PMC6380526DOI
10.1097/MAO.0000000000002119Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85061259805 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 29 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the safety and efficacy of remote programming of cochlear implants.
STUDY DESIGN: Single-subject design SETTING:: Four North American clinical sites PATIENTS:: Forty cochlear implant recipients aged 12 years or older INTERVENTION:: Subjects had their cochlear implants programmed at a location that was remote from their audiologist using telecommunication with and without the support of a facilitator.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant (CNC) word scores and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale-C (SSQ-C) were compared using the subject's in-office MAP (program) and MAPs programmed remotely with and without the assistance of a facilitator. Additional subjective preference data were gathered from subjects and audiologists via questionnaires.
RESULTS: MAPs programmed via the three different models did not yield significantly different group mean CNC word scores. No device/procedure-related adverse events occurred. SSQ-C questionnaire results indicated that recipients received similar subjective benefit from familiar in-office, remote-facilitated, and remote-unassisted MAPs.
CONCLUSIONS: Remote programming is an effective means of cochlear implant service delivery. The practice was approved by the FDA on November 17, 2017 supported by the results of this study.
Author List
Slager HK, Jensen J, Kozlowski K, Teagle H, Park LR, Biever A, Mears MAuthor
Kristin Kozlowski AuD Audiologist in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Child
Cochlear Implantation
Cochlear Implants
Computers, Handheld
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Software
Telemedicine
Young Adult
