Influencing Factors the Quality of Life in the Children with Cochlear Implants

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of cochlear implants on quality of life in the children.
 Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: CMH, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jul 2021 to Feb 2022.
 Methodology: Forty-five children, aged 2-5 years, of either gender having cochlear implantation already and came for followup were included in the study. Children with Cochlear Implants: Parental Perspectives (CCIPP) questionnaire were used for data collection.
 Results: Among 45 cases, mean age was 4.29±0.73 years. We found that the improvement in communication with the known people was 51.1%, and before cochlear implantation, the effectiveness of hearing aids was slightly low (26.7%). Social relations received the highest ratings (mean=3.33, SD=1.36), followed by Well-being (mean=3.22, SD=1.36) and effects of implantation (mean=2.89, SD=0.95). Of 45 children, 60% of parents were satisfied with the improvement in communication, 66.7% for general functionality and autonomy, 71.1% for well-being and happiness, 77.8% for social relations, 73.3% for education and 71.1% for effects of implantation. A strong correlation was found between function in general and self-confidence of the child (r=0.761, p=0.001), self-confidence and education of the child (r=0.720, p=0.001) and function in general of the child and effect of implantation (r=0.725, p=0.001).
 Conclusion: The Cochlear implantation was effective for children in hearing, language understanding, self-reliance and educational conditions.