Quality of Life and Cochlear Implant: Results in Saudi Children

Abstract

Objective To assess the quality of life (QoL) in Saudi children with cochlear implants (CI) and determine sociodemographic and clinical factors that have an impact on the perceived QoL. Methods A cross-sectional study is performed by comparing the QoL of Saudi toddlers and young CI recipients with normal children, using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 - Generic core scale (PedsQL TM 4.0 - GCS). A self-administered questionnaire was sent to parents of paediatric patients, who had cochlear implantation at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), from March 2016 to March 2018. Mothers of age-matched normal children who attended the obstetrics and gynaecology clinics at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), in November 2019 were considered as a control group. Results When children with CI and normal children PedsQL TM 4.0 - GCS subscales (physical, emotional, social, and school) and total functioning scores were compared, no single significant difference was noted between the groups. The sociodemographic and clinical factors that have an impact on the perceived QoL were: gender, birth order, and distance from the CI center. Emotional, social, psychosocial, and total functioning were the main dimensions affected. Conclusion The QoL of Saudi children with CI is comparable to those of normal children. However, among children with CI, gender, birth order, and distance from the CI center were found to have different effects on the QoL dimensions.

Perceived benefits of cochlear implants by parents: expectations, decision-making process, and barriers to care

“…Additionally, one study in Brazil found a significant correlation between mother’s level of education, but not father’s, and some domains of QoL after cochlear implantation [ 22 ]. In contrast, the level of education of both mother and father was not associated with the QOL in another study of Saudi children [ 20 ]. It is optimistic to find that the outcome in our study is not related to the income of the family which is consistent with other studies [ 18 , 23 ].…”

Quality of life and associated factors among children with cochlear implants in Vietnam: Results from parents’ perception

“…12,23 Regarding associated factors of QoL among children with CI, our finding is consistent with the previous studies in which age of CI is significantly correlated with QoL of children. 14,21,22,24 It has been reported that children who had earlier exposure to sounds (especially those who underwent implantation by 3.5 years of age) have better opportunities for age-appropriate auditory development, normal development of central auditory pathways, resulting in they were more integrated and involved with the surroundings and less likely to feel isolated and left behind. 25 In addition, the present study also found that duration of CI use showed positive correlation with QoL of the children.…”

“…Studies demonstrated that there are significant differences in rating QoL between children-self-reported and parental proxy. 14 Therefore, the results may be influenced by different point of views. Previous studies confirmed the effectiveness of CI in improving QoL among children, and the benefits appear to keep stable over the years.…”

“…This might be explained by the fact that older siblings can enrich aspects of younger children's language development through "overheard" conversations. 14 More research need to be conducted in the future to identify associated factors of QoL among children with CI.…”

“…13 Additionally, research also reported that birth order, gender, and distance from the cochlear implant center had effect on the QoL dimensions. 14 QoL can be measured using generic and condition specific instruments. 15 The strength of generic instruments lies in their ability to enable comparisons among children with different medical conditions, as well as make comparisons with healthy populations.…”