The children speak: an examination of the quality of life of pediatric cochlear implant users.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the results of health-related quality-of-life questionnaire scores from profoundly deaf children fitted with at least one cochlear implant (CI) and to compare their responses with those of normal-hearing mates of similar age and their parents.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study utilizing a generic quality-of-life questionnaire designed to be completed by both parents and children independently of each other.

SETTING

Questionnaires completed at various summer camps designed for children with CIs in Texas and Colorado.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Eighty-eight families from 16 states were divided into two subgroups by age of cochlear implantation: an eight- to 11-year-old group and a 12- to 16-year-old group. The KINDL-R Questionnaire for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents was distributed, and CI participants completed the questionnaire independently of their participating family member.

RESULTS

CI users in both age groups scored similarly to their normal-hearing peers and their parents. Younger CI users scored their family domain lower compared with their normal-hearing peers. Teen CI users scored the school domain lower compared with their parents. Among CI participants, earlier implantation and longer CI use resulted in higher quality-of-life scores.

CONCLUSION

Children with CIs experience quality of life similar to that of normal-hearing peers. Parents are reliable reporters on the status of their child's overall quality of life.