Abstract
Based on the results of questionnaire given to the cochlear implant (CI) users, current CI usage status, potential problems, factors that influence their satisfaction were discussed. Questionnaires were sent by mail to 80 CI users who have been implanted for more than five years at the Tokyo Medical University Hospital since 1985, when CI was first introduced to Japan. It was shown that CI is practically used in their daily life and more CI users expect further improvement in speech discrimination in noise, music perception, telephone usage and hard ware. Technological development, such as waterproof CI and total implantable CI was also desired. Despite the fact that they obtained hearing ability and were well encouraged, the degree of CI usefulness tended to decrease as compared with the results of the survey we made in 2000. Judging from their comments, they seemed to expect more from CI as they get accustomed to using CI.
