Evaluation of self-esteem in hearing aid and cochlear implant users.

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between hearing aid or cochlear implant use and self-esteem, quality of life, hearing quality, and speech perception.

METHODS

Of the 120 participants studied, 29 were cochlear implant users, 26 were hearing aid users, 33 were non-device users with hearing loss, and 32 had normal hearing. Each individual included in the study WHOQOL-BREF Quality-of-Life Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem and Speech, Spatial Perception and Qualities of Hearing Scale was applied.

RESULTS

We found that the self-esteem level of the group with hearing loss, but without a device, was significantly lower than that of the group with a cochlear implant/hearing aid. There was a moderately statistically significant relationship between self-esteem, quality of life, speech perception, and hearing quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Using hearing aid and cochlear implants increases self-esteem among people with hearing impairments. Self-esteem is associated with quality of life, speech perception, and hearing quality.