Aural Rehabilitation for Cochlear Implant Users Via Telerehab Technology

Enhanced Aural Rehabilitation for Cochlear Implant Users Via Telerehab Technology

This study evaluates the benefits of short-term training via telehealth for post-lingually deafened adult cochlear implant users. Half the participants will receive aural rehabilitation and the other half cognitive training. The hypothesis is that short-term aural rehabilitation via telerehab technology will improve outcomes for post-lingually deafened cochlear implant users

Aural rehabilitation training (AR) has been demonstrated to improve outcomes for adult cochlear implant users. There are both financial and non-financial barriers to AR service delivery including accessibility (mobility, distance and transportation problems), accommodation (time off work impossible, caring for family) and availability (limited providers in rural areas, financial constraints, and lack of transportation. In this study the investigators will measure the impact of telerehab delivery on optimizing speech recognition, communication function, goals, social participation and hearing handicap.

Twenty-four participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: aural rehabilitation (AR) and cognitive training (CT). Participants will complete six 90-minute treatment sessions in their home or office via a telerehab platform. Participants will come to a center for three 90-minute assessment sessions: pre-treatment, 1 week, and 2 months post-treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Speech Tracking rate of at least 20 words per minute
• Sentence recognition scores (CasperSent) between 10% and 85%
• Passing score on cognitive screener (Callahan et al., 2002)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Less than 18 years of age
• Pre-lingually deafened
• Prior Aural Rehabilitation with cochlear implant
• Greater than three years post-activation of CI