QoL for CI Recipients and their Frequent Communication Partners when using a CROS device

What is it about?

People with a cochlear implant (CI) in one ear and little hearing in the other often miss out on the benefits of hearing with both ears. A CROS device can help by sending sounds from the poorer-hearing side to the CI side, but its broader impact on quality of life (QoL) for users and their communication partners (FCPs) is less understood. This study looked at how CROS devices affect hearing in noisy situations and QoL for CI users and their FCPs. Seven adults with a single CI and their FCPs participated. They used CROS devices for about a year, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hearing tests and QoL surveys were completed before and after using the devices. The results showed that CROS devices improved speech recognition in noisy environments by 32%. CI users also reported better general satisfaction with their hearing, and their FCPs noted fewer concerns about their partner’s hearing difficulties. This study suggests that CROS devices can improve hearing in noise and enhance overall well-being for both CI users and their communication partners.

Featured Image

Photo by Mark Paton on Unsplash

Photo by Mark Paton on Unsplash