Communicative participation of school-aged children with cochlear implants: parental perceptions

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Cochlear implants (CIs) offer significant auditory benefits for children.
• Understanding the real-world communication experiences of CI users is crucial.
• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a framework for assessing participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parents' perceptions of their school-aged child's communication in social contexts.
• To apply the ICF construct of communicative participation to children with CIs.
• To identify communication barriers and activity limitations experienced by children with CIs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study design.
• Semi-structured interviews with 19 parents of children with CIs.
• Thematic analysis of interview data.

Main Results:

• Parents reported positive outcomes with CIs but also noted participation restrictions and activity limitations.
• Communication difficulties and environmental/social barriers significantly impact children's engagement.
• Subtle communication challenges can substantially affect participation in social contexts.

Conclusions:

• School-aged children with CIs experience communication-related participation restrictions.
• Environmental and social factors play a key role in limiting communicative participation.
• Language interventions should be enhanced to better support experienced CI users in diverse social settings.