Emotional and behavioral difficulties among children and adolescents with cochlear implants

Maddiha Tufail; Hafiza Munaza Hayat; Atia Ur Rehman; Munawar Ahmed Malik; Farwa Batool Sabih; Arshad Mehmood Naz

doi:10.52229/ajahs.v4i3.377

Maddiha Tufail Department of Health Professional Technologies, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
Hafiza Munaza Hayat Department of Health Professional Technologies, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
Atia Ur Rehman Department of Health Professional Technologies, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
Munawar Ahmed Malik Department of Special Education University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Farwa Batool Sabih Department of Health Professional Technologies, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore
Arshad Mehmood Naz Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52229/ajahs.v4i3.377

Keywords: Children, adolescents, cochlear implants, emotional and behavioral difficulties

Abstract

In most industrial nations, the rate of pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) has improved to the point where it is now the biggest response to profound and, gradually more, severe babyhood deafness.

OBJECTIVE: To find emotional and behavioral difficulties among children and adolescents with cochlear implants Centre Pakistan Cochlear Implant Program in Bahria Town Lahore.

METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study with 68 children and adolescents with cochlear implants, (37 males and 31 females), participated. All participants were 6 to 17 years old and were using cochlear implants more than 2 years. Data were collected from parents or guardian of participants through the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire parental or guardian version (4-17 years), from Audiology Centre Pakistan Cochlear Implant Program in Bahria Town Lahore. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0. An independent sample t test was conducted to assess differences between male and female participants, p-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS: It was found that there was a significant difference in mean psychosocial difficulties, emotional problems and conduct problems among male and female children and adolescents with cochlear implants. But there was no significant gender difference in participants at hyperactivity, peer problems and pro-social behavior.

CONCLUSIONS: That male and female had significant difference in emotional and behavioral difficulties. Males had higher mean psychosocial difficulties and more emotional and conduct problems than females.