Family’s perception of the quality of life of children using cochlear implants and of the capixaba hearing health service

ABSTRACT

Purpose  To investigate, from the family's perspective, the quality of life of children using cochlear implants and correlate it with perceptions about the care received in hospital hearing health care, according to clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods  Eighteen families of children with cochlear implants attended by Unified Health System Hospital Care Service completely responded to the Kidscreen-10 index Proxy and Measure of Processes of Care-56 (MPOC-56) questionnaires, which, according to clinical and sociodemographic data, were statistically correlated.

Results  The children's quality of life presented scores close to the maximum, with lower scores in emotional development, school performance and attention which improved with age. Satisfaction with the Service also presented a good rating, with Providing General Information being the Factor with the lowest score. Age and geographic location affected the families' perception of the children's quality of life and age, use of cochlear implant, therapy time and geographic location influenced the family's satisfaction with the Service. No statistically significant difference was observed in the correlation between the Kidscreen-10 index Proxy total score and the MPOC-56, however, there was a positive correlation in the effect size: weak between Factors 3 and 4 and moderate between Factors 1 and 5.

Conclusion  The study of these variables can contribute towards the development of unique therapeutic planning and management in favor of quality of service.

Keywords:
Correction of hearing impairment; Quality of life; Child; Speech; language and hearing sciences; Kinship network; Health centers; Health services; Health services for persons with disabilities; Cochlear implantation