Comparison of two quality-of-life questionnaires in cochlear implanted children

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Pediatric Health
• Quality of Life Assessment

Background:

• Cochlear implantation is a vital intervention for hearing restoration in children.
• Assessing quality of life (QoL) in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users is crucial for monitoring outcomes.
• Existing QoL questionnaires may vary in suitability for different age groups within the pediatric population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of two QoL questionnaires, CIQOL-10 Global and PEACH, in children with cochlear implants.
• To identify the questionnaire best adapted for evaluating QoL in a pediatric CI population.
• To determine which questionnaire offers better ease of use and relevance for young CI users.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 40 pediatric cochlear implant recipients aged 18 months to 15 years.
• Participants completed the CIQOL-10 Global and PEACH questionnaires.
• Ease of use and relevance were assessed using Visual Analog Scales.
• Exclusion criteria included non-implant wear, non-French-speaking families, and presence of psychomotor retardation or neurologic deficit.

Main Results:

• The PEACH questionnaire significantly outperformed CIQOL-10 Global in terms of ease of use and relevance.
• This difference was particularly pronounced in children aged six years and younger.
• Younger children (≤6 years) left an average of 3 questions unanswered in CIQOL-10 Global versus only 1 in PEACH.

Conclusions:

• The PEACH questionnaire is more suitable for assessing quality of life in pediatric cochlear implant users, especially for those under six.
• Its greater ease of completion and relevance can enhance the follow-up process for young CI recipients.
• Optimizing QoL assessment tools is key to improving long-term care and outcomes for pediatric CI patients.