QUALITY OF LIFE OF CHILDREN WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANT: A PARENTAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the improvement in hearing impaired children after cochlear implantation. Cochlear implant for hearing implant children are known to have impact on the lives of recipients and their families in different ways.

Method: This is descriptive observational study amongs47 children aged between 2 to 5 years at the time of implantation and the current age is 4 to 16 years. A self-designed questionnaire was used to assess the parental point of view. The questionnaire that was mailed to families included the following sections: communication, self reliance, social relationships wellbeing and happiness, education, process of implantation, positive effect of the implant, supporting the child, and pre- and postoperative services provided by the implant center.

Results: Out of 47 subjects 26 (55.3%) were females and 21(44.7%) were males subjects. Parents were most satisfied with improved communication, self reliance, social relation, wellbeing and happiness, education with the help of hearing. When deciding on implantation, the parents particularly expected auditory information to increase their child’s safety in traffic, joining socially the hearing world, and better employment prospects as adults.

Conclusion: Parents report that cochlear implants affect their children in a wide variety of ways that cannot be summarized by a single scale. Although speech and language development was the major concern, parents reported outstanding improvement in communication skills, social relationships, and self-confidence for their child.