Health-related quality of life after pediatric cochlear implantation

To examine the results of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaire scores from deaf children fitted with at least one cochlear implant (CI) and compare responses to normal-hearing age-peers (NHP) and to their parents. This cross-sectional study included 33 pediatric patients with a hearing experience of at least 1 year with CI and a control group of 21 NHP. The KINDLR questionnaire for measuring HRQoL (generic) in children (7–12years) and adolescents (13–17years) and a CI questionnaire (specific) were completed by CI users and their parents. Scores were transformed to a 100-point scale with 100 representing the most positive response. The group of children and adolescents with CI reached a similar score in the generic HRQoL (Children:78,6; Adolescents:80,4; p = 0,35) and in the overall CI questionnaire (Children:77,6; Adolescents:75,6; p = 0,53). CI users in both age groups scored generic HRQoL similarly to their NHP (NH children:82,2, p = 0,18; NH adolescents:77,5; p = 0,07) and higher than CI users from other centers (OC) (OC children:75,4; OC adolescents:70,3). CI users scored their school domain lower than their NHP (p = 0,04). Generic and CI questionnaire scores of parents and their children correlated positively (r = 0,66, p = 0,00 and r = 0,73, p = 0,00). The total scores of HRQoL in the self-rating and parent rating correlate with none of the variables at study (gender, cause of deafness, age at implantation, years with a CI, chronological age) except with speech progression (p = 0,007). Children with CI experience similar quality of life as NHP. Parents are reliable reporters on the status of their child's overall quality of life. •Paediatric population with CI rated HRQoL similarly to their NHP.•The only subscale CI users rate their QoL less positively than their NHP is school.•CI questionnaire scores of parents and their children correlated positively.•Patients showed a high level of satisfaction regarding CI use.•Better spoken language skills were associated with better HRQoL.