Table 2.
Cochlear Implant Use Questionnaire items (N = 100). Percentage refers to the percent of participants who provided a response other than “never” (or “always” if the item was reverse scored) to each item. Asterisk indicates that the item was reverse scored such that a higher number is consistent with greater barrier to cochlear implant use.
| Questionnaire Item | IMB Model Distinction | Participants reporting as a barrier (%) | Average score, 0 = “never” to 4 = “always” (Mean ± SD) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||
| 1. When my cochlear implant processor battery dies, I have a backup battery with me.* | Behavioral Skills | 36% | 0.7 ± 1.1 |
| 2. It is important that I hear my best at all times.* | Motivation | 32% | 0.4 ± 0.6 |
| 3. When I take my cochlear implant processor off, I enjoy the silence. | Motivation | 93% | 2.2 ± 1.1 |
| 4. I take my cochlear implant processor off when I am home alone. | Information | 75% | 1.5 ± 1.2 |
| 5. I get so exhausted from listening that I want to take my cochlear implant processor off. | Motivation | 68% | 1.3 ± 1.1 |
| 6. When sounds are annoying, I take my cochlear implant processor off. | Behavioral Skills | 76% | 1.5 ± 1.0 |
| 7. If I am sick or do not feel well, I do not like to wear my cochlear implant processor. | Motivation | 78% | 1.6 ± 1.2 |
| 8. I do not see the purpose of wearing my cochlear implant processor because it does not benefit my hearing ability. | Motivation | 14% | 0.2 ± 0.6 |
| 9. My cochlear implant processor or processor parts are broken. | Behavioral Skills | 72% | 0.7 ± 0.9 |
| 10. I remove my cochlear implant processor because it is too loud to wear comfortably. | Information | 37% | 0.5 ± 0.7 |
| 11. The sound quality of my cochlear implant discourages me from wearing it. | Motivation | 59% | 0.6 ± 1.0 |
| 12. I can hear and communicate effectively without my cochlear implant processor. | Motivation | 43% | 0.8 ± 1.1 |
| 13. I tend to remove my cochlear implant processor when I am not communicating. | Information | 37% | 0.7 ± 1.0 |
| 14. It is hard for me to put my cochlear implant processor on. | Behavioral Skills | 18% | 0.2 ± 0.6 |
| 15. I forget to put my cochlear implant processor on. | Behavioral Skills | 37% | 0.5 ± 0.7 |
| 16. It is important that I maximize my results with my cochlear implant.* | Motivation | 21% | 0.4 ± 0.8 |
| 17. I take breaks from wearing my cochlear implant processor because my ear hurts. | Behavioral Skills | 48% | 0.8 ± 0.9 |
| 18. My cochlear implant processor falls off of my ear. | Behavioral Skills | 79% | 1.4 ± 1.0 |
| 19. I look forward to putting my cochlear implant processor on in the morning.* | Motivation | 56% | 1.0 ± 1.1 |
| 20. If I forget to wear my cochlear implant processor, my friends or family members will ask me why I’m not wearing it.* | Motivation | 78% | 2.5 ± 1.6 |
| 21. I take off my cochlear implant processor to avoid getting it wet while exercising or working outside during the summer. | Behavioral Skills | 87% | 2.1 ± 1.3 |
| 22. I don’t wear my cochlear implant processor because I’m afraid of what people might think or say about it. | Motivation | 8% | 0.1 ± 0.5 |
| 23. I use alternate forms of communication (Ex. ASL, writing). | Motivation | 47% | 0.8 ± 0.9 |
| 24. My friends and family members think it is important that I wear my cochlear implant processor.* | Motivation | 10% | 0.3 ± 0.8 |
| 25. Wearing my cochlear implant processor gives me a headache. | Information | 23% | 0.7 ± 0.8 |