Unheard Struggles: Exploring Health-Related Quality of Life Determinants and Coping Mechanisms Among Children with Hearing Loss from Parents and Caregivers Perspective

Abstract

Purpose: Childhood hearing loss is an emerging public health concern. This study aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) and coping strategies between children with and without hearing loss. It also explored the impact of coping strategies on the QOL of children with hearing loss. Methods: The study included 95 children with hearing loss and 107 healthy controls aged 6–18 years, recruited from special education schools. QOL was evaluated using the SF-12 health survey, and coping strategies were assessed with the Brief COPE inventory. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Children with hearing loss reported lower QOL scores in areas such as role functioning, emotional well-being, mental health, and physical health. They were more likely to use maladaptive coping strategies like denial, behavioral disengagement, and self-blame, whereas healthy children favored adaptive strategies like self-distraction, emotional support, and positive reframing. Problem-focused coping showed a positive association with role functioning (r = 0.46, p < 0.01), emotional roles (r = 0.18, p < 0.05), and mental health (r = 0.19, p < 0.05). Sociodemographic factors, including grade level and rural residence, significantly influenced QOL, with children in rural areas (OR = 4.66; p = 0.03) and lower grades (OR = 8.89; p = 0.05) facing greater challenges. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the self-distraction and physical component summary score (p = 0.01). Self-distraction (p = 0.01) and the acceptance coping strategy (p = 0.02) had a notable effect on the mental summary score of SF-12 scores of children with hearing loss. Conclusion: This study concluded that children with hearing impairment showed poor quality of life and these children use maladaptive coping strategies to combat with the stress caused by hearing loss. Early detection, community awareness, and customized support programs are crucial to enhancing the QOL of children with hearing loss and minimizing the condition’s long-term impact.