Our Experience With Home Self-Assessment of Speech Recognition in the Care Pathway of 10 Newly-Implanted Adult Cochlear Implant Users

The number of CI users has grown rapidly, resulting in an increased workload for CI centres and a need for new and innovative ways to provide healthcare to users of a CI. A telehealth application was developed with a functionality to self-administer speech recognition tests at home, which was evaluated in 10 newly-implanted patients. Speech recognition in quiet and in noise improved steadily during the first few weeks of rehabilitation, after which it stabilized. The home tests provided a good alternative to testing in the clinic for newly-implanted patients who were able and willing to perform part of their CI care from home, and felt confident in using the technology required. Frequently administered speech recognition self-tests provide fine-grained progress details which enable clinicians to monitor their CI user's speech recognition ability over time without the need for users of a CI to visit the clinic. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved