Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2025
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Influence of cochlear implants on hearing-related quality of life: results from Chinese children with cochlear
Ye Yang1, Junyan Gao2, Haoliang Du1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Jiangsu Provincial Key Medical Discipline (Laboratory), No.321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China; Research Institute of Otolaryngology, No.321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
Objectives:
This study aimed to 1) assess the hearing-related Quality of Life (QoL) of children with cochlear implants (CIs) in China and 2) investigate the impact of CI in children and of the socio-demographic backgrounds of their guardians on the hearing-related QoL of children with CIs in the Chinese mainstream education system.
Methods:
This study used the Mandarin Children with Cochlear Implants: Parental Perspectives questionnaire (MPP), which assessed the communication capability, auditory perception, self-independence, level of happiness with family, social interaction, academic performance, outcome assessment for CI, and level of family support in children with CIs. Both univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify the relationship of CI in children and the socio-demographic backgrounds of their guardians with hearing-related QoL in children with CI.
Result:
A total of 124 responses were collected, and they indicated satisfaction and improvement across all aspects of the MPP Questionnaire. Statistical analysis revealed that an earlier age of cochlear implantation (≤3 years old) could improve the communication capabilities, self-independence, social interaction performance, and academic performance of children with CIs. In addition, children with CI from the urban regions demonstrated better social interaction performance than that by those from the rural regions of China.
Conclusion:
CIs can improve hearing-related QoL in children with pre-lingual or congenital hearing loss entering the mainstream education system in China. This study showed that early age of cochlear implantation was critical for successful long-term auditory development and academic achievement in children with CIs in China. Therefore, healthcare professionals and educators in China should advocate for CI for children with severe congenital or pre-lingual hearing loss.
