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Updated: May 4, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for monitoring patients using cochlear
Insights
Children with cochlear implants generally have good auditory function but face challenges in school performance. Environmental factors like noise and lack of speech therapy present barriers.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cochlear implants are crucial for children with hearing loss.
- The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) provides a framework for assessing child development.
- Understanding the functional profile of pediatric cochlear implant users is essential for optimizing their care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the functional profile of pediatric cochlear implant users.
- To apply the ICF-CY framework to assess patients with cochlear implants.
- To identify challenges and barriers faced by children with cochlear implants.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional retrospective study.
- Analysis of 30 medical records of cochlear implant patients.
- Application of ICF-CY codes to patient data from clinical routine assessments.
Main Results:
- Most children showed no significant disabilities in auditory and language body functions.
- Difficulties were primarily observed in written language, activity, and participation.
- Environmental factors such as noise, limited technology, and lack of speech therapy were identified as barriers.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric cochlear implant users generally exhibit good body function but experience difficulties in school performance.
- Environmental factors significantly impede auditory comprehension and overall development.
- There is a need to enhance clinical routine assessments to better address these challenges.
Purpose:
To characterize the profile of patients with cochlear implant as proposed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY).
Methods:
This is a descriptive, cross-sectional retrospective study, which examined 30 medical records of patients using the cochlear implant of Centro de Pesquisas Audiológicas; To characterize the profile of the patients, the ICF-CY was used. Regarding the assessment, researchers relied on procedures performed in clinical routine, besides information registered in the medical record. After reviewing the information, it was related to codes from the ICF-CY; with the addition of a qualifier afterwards.
Results:
Overall, 55 codes from the ICF were related to the instruments to characterize this population. Regarding the Body Functions field, most participants did not have disabilities related to reception and expression of oral language and auditory functions, with only written language disabilities being found. These same findings were observed in the Activity and Participation Field. Regarding environmental factors, noise and the non-availability of technology resources to assist in the auditory comprehension of noise were characterized as a barrier, as well as the absence of speech therapy.
Conclusion:
This study concluded that most of the participating children showed no deficiency in the body functions, with difficulties being only reported in relation to school performance. Environmental factors (noise, non-availability of technological resources, absence of speech therapy) were characterized as a barrier. The need to expand assessments in the clinical routine was also noted.
