Needs Analysis of School Life and Therapeutic Support for Elementary Students With Cochlear Implants

Although cochlear implants (CIs) provide substantial benefits, children with congenital hearing loss (HL) often require additional educational support. This study aimed to identify the specific support needs of elementary school students with CIs.

Twenty-six elementary school children with congenital HL who received CIs participated in this study. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys using a questionnaire comprising four sections: general information, learning support needs, treatment support needs, and school life support needs. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

In the learning support domain, children with CIs exhibited the greatest need for assistance in English, particularly in listening to lectures and taking examinations. Regarding treatment support, most respondents preferred speech-language therapy twice a week, with each session lasting 40 minutes. Career education was highly valued, with 92.3% of participants expressing willingness to engage in it. In terms of school life support, 80% of children required student counseling, and 60% needed family counseling. Nearly all respondents endorsed hearing-impairment education for both general students (96%) and teachers (100%). No significant differences were observed between the unilateral and bilateral CI groups across all domains (p>0.05).

Although CIs restore hearing in children, comprehensive support is essential. Tailored educational interventions that address each child's unique needs are critical. Further research is warranted to explore long-term outcomes as students transition to higher education or the workforce.