Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify patient factors and speech perception outcomes associated with selection of a remote programming cochlear implant (CI) strategy over traditional in-person programming 2-week post-activation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Single high-volume, tertiary care adult CI center. PATIENTS: Adult patients with sensorineural hearing loss and poor speech recognition meeting criteria for cochlear implantation. METHODS: Patients with an advanced bionics CI were offered the choice of an in-person or remote programming session 2 weeks after CI activation. Patients who opted for an in-person follow-up represented the standard of care. Patients who opted for a virtual follow-up had the same programming that would be completed in-person and were asked to complete an additional questionnaire rating their perceived mobile device proficiencies. All patients were seen for a 1-month post-activation appointment and outcomes were compared between the 2 cohorts. RESULTS: Forty-one adult CI recipients completed either an in-person (N=21) or remote programming (N=20) visit 2 weeks post-activation. Average age at implantation was significantly younger (67.35 y) for the remote programming cohort compared with those opting for an in-person visit (75.57 y). Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ-16) indicated a wide range of mobile device proficiencies among patients who opted for remote programming. No significant differences in changes in questionnaires or aided speech perception testing post-implantation were noted between the in-person and remote programming cohorts at the 1-month visit. CONCLUSIONS: A remote programming visit is an acceptable option for all adult CI recipients, even those early in their CI journey or with limited mobile device proficiencies.