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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Parents' View on Quality of Life after Cochlear Implantation in Children with Auditory Neuropathy
Taşkın Tokat1, Tolgahan Çatlı1, Ergün Başaran Bozkurt1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
Insights
Cochlear implantation significantly enhances the quality of life for children with auditory neuropathy, improving speech, language, and social skills, according to parental feedback. This intervention positively impacts self-confidence and relationships.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Audiology
- Quality of Life Research
Background:
- Auditory neuropathy presents unique challenges in pediatric hearing loss.
- Cochlear implantation is a common intervention for severe to profound hearing loss.
- Evaluating quality of life from a parental perspective is crucial for pediatric interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of cochlear implantation on the quality of life in pediatric patients diagnosed with auditory neuropathy.
- To gather parental perspectives on the benefits and outcomes of cochlear implantation for their children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 26 pediatric patients with auditory neuropathy who underwent cochlear implantation was studied.
- The "Parents' Perspective Questionnaire," comprising 11 subscales and 58 questions, was utilized.
- Data were collected from patients at İzmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital between 1997 and 2017.
Main Results:
- Patients using cochlear implants for over 6 years demonstrated improved self-confidence and social relationships.
- Children attending school reported higher levels of self-confidence.
- Parental feedback indicated improvements in various quality of life aspects post-implantation.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation is effective in improving hearing, speech, and language development in children with auditory neuropathy.
- Parental perspectives offer a comprehensive evaluation of a child's progress after cochlear implantation.
- Incorporating parental insights is vital for optimizing care in cochlear implant centers.
Objectives:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life in pediatric patients with auditory neuropathy according to the perspective of their parents after cochlear implantation.
Materials And Methods:
The pediatric patients, who underwent cochlear implantation with the diagnosis of auditory neuropathy at İzmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital ENT Clinic between January 1997 and May 2017, were included to the study. "Parents' Perspective Questionnaire" developed by Nottingham Pediatric Cochlear Implant Programme was used in the study. The questionnaire was composed of 11 subscales and 58 questions in total.
Results:
The study included 26 pediatric patients (14 female, 12 male) who used cochlear implant for at least 1 year. The mean age of patients was 10.91±3.85 ( 4.3-17.3 years old) and implantation age varied between 14 months and 80 months. (median; 35.65±20.03 months). Patients who attended school had more self-confidence, and also those having implant use over 6 years had a better self confidence and social relationship.
Conclusion:
Cochlear implantation not only improves the ability of hearing but also provides development of speech and language skills and therefore enhancing the patient's quality of life. From the perspective of parents, the use of cochlear implant in the children with auditory neuropathy improves the quality of life in many different ways. The perspective of parents can provide a multidimensional evaluation about the child's progress, therefore, ıt should be taken into consideration by the staff in implant centers.
