Acceptance of patients towards task-autonomous robotic cochlear implantation: An exploratory study.

Background: Recently, task-autonomous image-guided robotic cochlear implantation has been successfully completed in patients. However, no data exist on patients' perspective of this new technology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of patients towards task-autonomous robotic cochlear implantation (TARCI).

Methods: We prospectively surveyed 63 subjects (51 patients and 12 parents of infants) scheduled for manual cochlear implantation. We collected sociodemographic and clinico-pathological characteristics and their attitude towards TARCI for themselves or their child using a questionnaire. Differences between variables were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Spearman's rho was used to test for correlation.

Results: Seventy-three percent of patients and 84% of parents expressed a high acceptance towards TARCI for themselves, or their child, respectively. Interestingly, patients with a negative attitude towards TARCI were significantly younger.

Conclusion: The attitude of patients and parents likely does not represent a barrier towards application of this new technology.