Quality of Life in Adolescents with Cochlear Implant

Abstract

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) is a transformative intervention for adolescents with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, offering benefits that extend beyond auditory rehabilitation to encompass psychosocial and functional outcomes. Despite growing global evidence, there is limited data on the impact of CIs on quality of life (QoL) in low- and middle-income settings, particularly from the adolescent’s perspective. Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of adolescents with unilateral cochlear implants and to assess the influence of demographic and contextual factors on perceived QoL outcomes in a Pakistani cohort. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 110 adolescents aged 10–19 years with at least 12 months of unilateral CI use were recruited from four rehabilitation centers in Lahore, Pakistan. Participants completed the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and a structured demographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses compared GBI scores across gender, implant side, and educational placement, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean GBI total score was 38.6 (SD 11.4), with significant improvements observed across general, social support, and physical health domains (all p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in QoL outcomes by gender, side of implantation, or school type. Strong associations were observed between general well-being and social support. Conclusion: Unilateral cochlear implantation yields substantial, multidimensional quality-of-life benefits for adolescents, independent of demographic or educational context. Integration of psychosocial support and inclusive practices is essential for maximizing post-implant outcomes.