Epidemiological Factors Influencing Access to Cochlear Implantation and Language Skills of Deaf and Hard‐of‐Hearing Children

Abstract

Objectives: Determine the epidemiologic relationship of family demographics and educational resources with parental knowledge of and willingness for their children to receive cochlear implantation (CI) and deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children’s language skills. Methods: More than 200 parents of DHH children were surveyed at local schools, specialized camps, and clinics in Southern California. Data on family (income, insurance status, education level, hearing status, primary language) and children characteristics (school type, language skills, rehabilitation measures) were solicited. Results: Sixty-six surveys were included in the analysis. Six children had already undergone CI. Of those children without CI, 62% had been presented with the option of CI by a healthcare professional and 24% were willing to have their child undergo CI. Willingness for children to undergo CI was statistically higher in families with at least one normal hearing parent ( P = .04), annual income less than $15,000 or more than $75,000 ( P = .01), and children enrolled in specialized schools for DHH ( P = .01). Risks of surgery (17%) and negative feedback from others(14%) were the leading reasons for unwillingness to undergo CI. Number of spoken words was greater among DHH children who attended public schools ( P = .04) or had more than one form of curriculum ( P = .04). Conclusions: A significant gap exists between the number of CI candidates and families aware of the option. Willingness to undergo CI is related to familial income and hearing status. On average, DHH children in public schools enrolled in a mainstream curriculum appear to have better language skills.