The Impact of Cochlear Implantation in Pediatric Patients on Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2025

Journal

Otology & neurotology open

Volume

5

Issue

2

DOI

10.1097/ONO.0000000000000068

Keywords

Cochlear Implantation; Pediatric Patients; Quality of Life Measurement

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hearing-related quality of life (HR-QoL) instruments utilized to assess pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users and determine which quality of life domains are most relatable to each stage of childhood development. DATABASES REVIEWED: PubMed, OVID Medline, Embase. METHODS: Our systematic review included a search of the PubMed, OVID Medline, and Embase databases using relevant MeSH terminology. Inclusion criteria captured the following: 1) pediatric CI users, 2) QoL measurement outcomes, 3) written in the English language, and 4) numerical data of survey scores readily available. Our study was adherent to the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guidelines. RESULTS: Among 1597 studies screened, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Among 1369 pediatric CI patients surveyed, nearly one-third of the studies administered a pediatric and parental version of the generic KINDL QoL questionnaire. Both children and adolescents with CI scored similarly in the generic HR-QoL and in the specialized Peds QoL questionnaire (CI) (scores displayed in mean ± SD; children: 67.11± 12.6; adolescents: 69.40± 12.42). CI users in both age groups scored lower than their age-matched normal hearing peers (NHP) (79.11 ± 11.63) and to their parents (78.19 ± 10.18) on both the generic and CI-specific QoL questionnaires. The highest scores across studies among CI users were observed under the physical and psychosocial well-being domains. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Children and adolescents with CI experience similar physical and psychosocial functioning QoL aspects, though lower than their NHP. Disagreement was observed between most pediatric and parental QoL reports among children and adolescents at QoL assessment, suggesting parents may not be reliable reporters on their child's overall QoL. These data provide a basis for future discussions aimed at designing standardized HR-QoL measures for pediatric CI users.

Department

School of Medicine and Health Sciences Student Works

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