Ocena percepcji mowy w funkcji zaprogramowanej ilości maksimów spektralnych u pacjentów dorosłych z implantem ślimakowym

Subjects. 11 adults cochlear implant users, age since 18 till 70 years old (mean 43); 6 male and 5 female; diagnosis-postlingual deafness; used CI over 3 years. Method. The aim of study was evaluation of an optimal number of spectral speech coding maxima. The speech audiometry in free fi eld for programmed 8, 10 and 12 spectral maxima and subjective evaluation of quality of speech perception in different acoustic environmental were performed. Results. Results of the study showed the better speech intelligibility for programmed 8 (approx. 54%) and 10 spectral maxima (27%). Conclusion. The number of speech spectral maxima over 10 is not necessary to increasing of speech intelligibility. In the BTE (behind the ear) speech processor the power consumtion were important reduced for 8 spectral maxima. Application of 810 number of maxima is optimal in fi rst session (switch-on) programming of speech processor

The survey of parents’ and adults recipients’ satisfaction with cochlear implantation determined by the place of residence

Introduction: The use of cochlear implants (CI) has been a remarkable success in reducing disabilities in patients with impaired hearing. The definition of success for those patients means improvement of hearing ability for adults, possibility to develop speech and language for children, quality of life improvement and satisfaction with the whole CI implantation procedure. The aim: To examine patient satisfaction, determined by their place of residence, with all activities in progress during CI implantation including care in subsequent years. Material and methods: The study was conducted prospectively. Online surveys were sent to 1,906 CI patients, with the response rate reaching 33%; thus 630 surveys were analyzed. Demographic data of the respondents were collected: gender, age of implantation, one- or two-sided implantation, place of residence and implanting clinic. A detailed statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed. Results: One of the problems observed was the aspect of waiting time for qualification, implantation and replacement of the speech processor. The second problem was the travel time to the CI center and that was strictly connected with the place of the residence of a patient. Patients’ satisfaction with the control visit was high for majority of them. Conclusions: This research highlighted the limitations of the current CI service delivery. Significant differences concerning the CI pathway were found for particular regions of Poland. One of the future goals for healthcare providers should be to level out the differences in access to CI services between different regions of Poland

Original article New challenges for clinical health psychology in diagnosis and therapy of tinnitus

Background Tinnitus is becoming a social issue as the number of individuals suffering from this condition is still increasing. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of tinnitus and related distress, as well as general psychiatric distress of affected individuals. Participants and procedure The study included 169 tinnitus patients aged between 22 and 88 years (mean 53.52). The duration of tinnitus ranged between 5 months and 30 years (mean 5.29 years). The participants presented either with normal hearing or with hearing loss. The study was based on a standardized interview and examination with two psychometric instruments: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Results Duration of tinnitus, its subjective severity, experiencing negative emotions and lack of social support turned out to be a composite measure determining the level of tinnitus-related distress. In turn, the level of psychiatric distress was determined by sex of the participants, presence of difficulties in life, subjective severity of tinnitus and lack of social support. Conclusions Characteristics of tinnitus and its psychological consequences affect various functional aspects and health of the affected patients. The diagnostic instruments used in the study (THI and GHQ-28) proved to be appropriate and identified a subset of tinnitus patients who required appropriate psychotherapeutic intervention. The complex situation of patients experiencing subjective signs of tinnitus points to a necessity of cooperation between specialists in laryngology and psychologists, as a vital component of multidisciplinary evaluation and the therapeutic process