Abstract
Background.Cochlear implantation (CI) is the main treatment method for deaf children. CI influences not only communication, but also psychosocial outcomes in children with severe to profound hearing loss. Focusing on issues specific to CI (e.g., self-reliance, social relations, education) may provide a more accurate and relative view of functional status of paediatric cochlear implant users. The objectives of this study were to translate into Lithuanian and adapt an international questionnaire of the quality of life after cochlear implantation and to evaluate parental perspectives regarding CI and the child’s progress after a minimum of two years after surgery.Materials and methods.The parental questionnaire The Children with Cochlear Implants: Parental Perspectives CCIPP was used to evaluate the quality of life following cochlear implantation. The questionnaire includes 74 items covering two main domains: decision-making (26 items) and the outcomes of implantation (48 items). Quality of life is estimated according to the scores of eight sub-domains: communication, general functioning, well-being, self-reliance, social relations, education, effects of implantation, and supporting the child.Results.The paediatric sample consisted of 11 (39%) girls and 17 (61%) boys, whose mean age at the time of cochlear implantation was 2.41 ± 2.25 years, mean duration of the implant use 3.7 ± 1.3 years. All the grand means in the outcomes of implantation domain exceeded 3 on the 5-point scale, meaning that parents viewed the quality of life of their children as either average or better. Parents rated the sub-domains of communication (3.90 ± 0.77 points), social relations (4.05 ± 0.41), and supporting the child (3.89 ± 0.49) most positively.Conclusions.According to parents, the quality of life improves after the cochlear implantation, especially in the fields of communication, social relations and supporting the child.
Highlights
Since 1989, when USA Food and Drug Administration approved cochlear implants for children, this technology has developed so fast that today cochlear implantation (CI) is the treatment of choice for children diagnosed with sever-to-profound hearing loss in majority of developed countries [1,2,3]
The quality of life improves after the cochlear implantation, especially in the fields of communication, social relations and supporting the child
It is well known that CI affects communication but socio-psychological well-being as well [11], besides, it has been noticed that the quality of life in paediatric population is not directly correlated to speech perception level [13]
Summary
Since 1989, when USA Food and Drug Administration approved cochlear implants for children, this technology has developed so fast that today cochlear implantation (CI) is the treatment of choice for children diagnosed with sever-to-profound hearing loss in majority of developed countries [1,2,3]. A cochlear implant enables a deaf child to develop communication skills equal to those of the hearing peers, especially if the hearing impairment is diagnosed and CI performed early [8, 9]. Health-related quality of life questionnaires are becoming more popular in estimating efficiency of treatment, and CI is not an exception. It is well known that CI affects communication but socio-psychological well-being as well [11], besides, it has been noticed that the quality of life in paediatric population is not directly correlated to speech perception level [13]. The objectives of this study were to translate into Lithuanian and adapt an international questionnaire of the quality of life after cochlear implantation and to evaluate parental perspectives regarding CI and the child’s progress after a minimum of two years after surgery
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