Response shift in hearing related quality of life after cochlear implantation - effect size and clinical significance: a then-test study.

Background: Quality of life questionnaires are often used in the assessment of rehabilitation of hearing-impaired patients with a cochlear implant. However, a prospective study with a systematic retrospective evaluation of the preoperative quality of life after surgery has not yet been conducted and may reveal a change in internal standards, such as a response shift, due to the implantation and hearing rehabilitation.

Methods: The Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ) was used for assessing hearing related quality of life.