User satisfaction with cochlear implant audio processors: population norms derived from a large-scale survey campaign

Cochlear implants (CIs) require an external audio processor (AP), which can impose responsibilities and challenges for the user. Monitoring user satisfaction is crucial to identify and address issues that may lead to reduced device usage. The audio processor satisfaction questionnaire (APSQ) was developed to measure user satisfaction across three subscales: user comfort, social life, and device usability.

Continue reading at PubMed →

Population-level satisfaction norms for CI audio processors provide a reference benchmark; clinicians can use these norms to flag patients whose satisfaction scores fall meaningfully below average and prioritise follow-up or device troubleshooting.

Establishing large-scale satisfaction norms fills a long-standing gap in CI outcomes measurement, enabling evidence-based benchmarking across clinics and device platforms.

1. 01Large-scale survey campaign derived population norms for cochlear implant audio processor user satisfaction.
2. 02Norms can serve as a reference standard for individual clinics to compare patient-reported outcomes.
3. 03Study highlights specific challenges and responsibilities experienced by CI users.
4. 04Patient-reported satisfaction data complements objective audiological performance measures.
5. 05Findings may inform counselling, device fitting, and post-fitting support programmes.

PMID

42769137

DOI

10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1817444.

Journal

Frontiers in Psychology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Cochlear implant users who completed a satisfaction survey regarding their audio processors

Intervention

Large-scale patient satisfaction survey on cochlear implant audio processors