Factors Influencing Postoperative Experiences in Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Multistakeholder Perspective

Objective To explore factors influencing postoperative experiences of adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients, determine the impact of each factor, and conceptualize recipients' postoperative journey. Study Design Participatory mixed methods; concept mapping. Setting Tertiary care (private and public). Patients Ninety-three participated in the brainstorming activity. Eighty-nine completed the sorting tasks (96% retention rate): CI recipients (n = 44), significant others (n = 13), CI audiologists (n = 14) and surgeons (n = 5), CI clinics' administration staff (n = 5) and managers (n = 3), and CI manufactures' clinical support staff (n = 5). Intervention(s) Rehabilitative (CIs). Main Outcome Measure(s) Statements were generated and rated by participants. Similarity of grouping of the statements informed the matrices used for cluster analysis to form concepts. Results Eighty-seven unique statements described the factors influencing adapting to, use, and maintenance of CIs after implantation. These were grouped, and five concepts were identified: financial considerations, complications, device usability and durability, device programming and adaptation, and patient motivation and supports. Although statements within the concepts financial considerations and complications were negatively rated, statements within the concepts device programming and adaptation, and patient motivation and supports were mostly rated as having positive influence in patients' postoperative journey. The concept device usability and durability contained both negatively and positively rated statements. Conclusions Postoperative experience of adult CI recipients is a multifaceted journey with several challenges to address to improve services. Although support from and connection with family and clinicians, and simplicity of using a CI device facilitated the experience, medical and surgical complications, durability, and cost of maintaining the device challenged the postoperative experience.