Assessment of quality of life and language development in patients with cochlear implant

Aim: Due to hearing loss that occurs in the congenital or pre-tongue period may cause the child to lag behind his or her peers by affecting the language development negatively and affecting the quality of life significantly the importance of cochlear implant surgery is increasing day by day. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the quality of life and language development of patients with cochlear implantation by applying the Vineland Compliant Behavior Scale and the Children's Quality of Life Scale. Material and Method: In this study, 40 patients who underwent cochlear implantation operation between May 2014 and September 2015 in Inonu University Medical Faculty Turgut Özal Medical Center Ear Nose and Throat Department were investigated. Consisting of 297 items and also consisting of four subscales, namely communication, daily life, socialization and motor skills; The Vineland Adaptation Behavior Scale and consisting of 23 items for the determination of quality of life; ÇİYKO were performed before and after the operation to patients who use the cochlear implant device regularly for at least 1 year and continue their education regularly after cochlear implant operation. Findings: Total 40 people who underwent cochlear implantation, between the ages of 3-15, were included in this study. When the quality of life data were evaluated before and after the operation, there was a significant increase in postoperative scores. It was observed that our patients who evaluated with Vineland Adaptation Behavior Scale showed a significant increase in communication skills total score, life skills total score and motor skills total score compared to before operation. Result: The cochlear implant has a positive effect on the quality of life in children, as well as some anxieties in the patients' families before and after the operation. More detailed elucidating about this issue may be needed to reduce parental concerns. Cochlear implantation contributes to the development of children's receptive and expressive language skills, to increased quality of life, to the strengthening of interpersonal communication and socialization. Keywords: Cochlear implantation, vineland, quality of life, quality of life scale