title: Quality of life in children and adolescents with cochlear implants and additional needs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the quality of life of deaf children with cochlear implants using a newly developed parent-report measure designed for use in this group. It compared the quality of life of implanted children with additional needs (e.g. physical or learning difficulties), with implanted children without such needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 22-item questionnaire comprising four sub-scales was developed and demonstrated to have good psychometric properties. This questionnaire was mailed to the parents of 199 children and adolescents with at least 2 years cochlear implant use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were received from 89 parents, 42% of whom reported that their child had additional needs. The quality of life of these children was rated as poorer than that of children without additional needs on three of the four subscales as well as on the total quality of life rating. However, despite these significant concerns the great majority of parents reported that their child's quality of life had improved 'moderately' or 'very much', irrespective of whether they had additional needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cochlear implantation has a positive impact on the quality of life of deaf children with additional needs, to a similar extent as for those without such needs.
authors.affiliation: Cochlear Implant Programme, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK. Lindsey.Edwards@gosh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Merle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome