Interpersonal Competence in College Students with Cochlear Implants: A Preliminary Study

Choi, Young Mi; Kim, Hee Hwa; Jeong, Sung Wook; Kim, Lee Suk

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
ObjectivesZZAlthough many studies have shown that cochlear implantation promotes restoration of adequate hearing and verbal ability, there is little research showing whether patients with cochlear implants (CI) adapted well to the society by forming a good interpersonal relationship. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interpersonal competence of college students who acquired good verbal ability through CI.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Interpersonal competence was examined using the Korean version of interpersonal competence questionnaire. Participants were 23 college students with CI who had good verbal communication abilities. Their interpersonal competence was compared to that of 28 college students with normal hearing (NH). To identify the factors contributing to the interpersonal competence, regression analysis was performed using speech perception, vocabulary and speech intelligibility as independent variables.
RESULTS
College students with CI showed significantly weaker interpersonal competence than those with NH. Among 5 sub-factors of interpersonal competence, assertion and conflict management were not significantly different between two groups and initiation, caring others, and appropriate disclosure of CI group were significantly weaker than NH group. But college students with CI who had normal vocabulary and Speech Intelligibility Ratings score of 5 showed good interpersonal competence, which was comparable to those with NH.
CONCLUSION
College students with CI who acquired good verbal communication ability demonstrates lower interpersonal competence than those with NH. Therefore, it is necessary to support them to improve interpersonal competence as well as speech-language ability.