Parental perception of benefits from cochlear implantation in children with multiple impairments

Abstract

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) in children with hearing impairment and an additional disability was not included in candidacy criteria earlier. With advances in technology and by taking into consideration the rehabilitation-pedagogic point of view, it is made possible to implant such children. In the Indian context, very few studies have documented benefits of CI in children with multiple impairments, whether measured or perceived by parents or families. Considering the number of children with additional impairments being implanted, it will be useful to conduct such a study, aimed at obtaining parents’ perceptions about benefits of cochlear implants in children with multiple impairments. Methods: The present study is a survey of 31 children (3-15 years) using CI and having multiple disabilities. An ICF based questionnaire was developed and used to record parents’ perception of benefits in terms of language development, speech perception, social interaction, communication skills (non-verbal and verbal), education, general tasks and demands, interpersonal interactions and relationships and family dynamics. Results: Benefits were reported by all parents in all the domains i.e. listening, communication, learning and applying knowledge, interpersonal interactions and relationships and environmental factors. However, more parents reported consistent benefits in listening and interpersonal interactions. Most parents reported overall benefits from cochlear implantation in their children with multiple impairments. Conclusions: Results of this study can be helpful in estimating outcomes from CI in children with multiple impairments. Such information can be used during pre-CI counselling to facilitate development of realistic parental expectations about the benefits of CI in their children with multiple impairments. As results are based on parental reports, overestimation of perceived benefits may be present in some instances.