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Impact on patients of the coronovirus disease 2019 pandemic and postponement of cochlear implant surgery: a qualitative study

Part of: JLO Coronavirus Collection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2021

R Abrar ,
I A Bruce ,
M O'Driscoll ,
S Freeman ,
U Martinez de Estibariz  and
E Stapleton
R Abrar*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
I A Bruce
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
M O'Driscoll
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
S Freeman
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
U Martinez de Estibariz
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
E Stapleton
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Rohma Abrar, The Richard Ramsden Centre for Hearing Implants, Peter Mount Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9WL, UK E-mail: rohma.abrar@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to explore the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and postponement of elective surgical procedures for profoundly deaf patients awaiting cochlear implantation.

Method

Open-ended questionnaires were sent to all adult patients awaiting cochlear implantation surgery. Qualitative analysis was performed using a grounded theory approach.

Results

Participants described a primarily negative impact on wellbeing from the surgery delay, expressing feelings of isolation or loneliness. Low mood, depression or hopelessness were commonly expressed by elderly participants; frustration and anxiety were described by young adults. Participants described a negative impact on their general daily life, describing difficulties communicating with facemasks and struggles with reliance on telephone communication because of social distancing. Despite these significant psychosocial challenges, only a minority described adaptive coping strategies.

Discussion

Profoundly deaf patients may be at greater psychosocial risk because of unique challenges from their hearing disability. Our findings can be used to develop evidence-driven strategies to improve communication, wellbeing and quality of life.

Keywords

Cochlear ImplantationCovid-19PandemicsPsychologyQuality Of LifeQualitative ResearchCommunication
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 135 , Issue 10 , October 2021 , pp. 918 - 925
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr R Abrar takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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