Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children With Cochlear Implants and Their Parents/Family Members

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe hearing health care and education experiences of children with cochlear implants (CIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential psychosocial effects of the pandemic on these children and their parents/family members. Method: The study used a cross-sectional survey design. The study sample comprised two groups, namely, parents/family members of children with CIs (study group, n = 70, M age = 44.6 ± 12.4 years) and parents/family members of children with normal hearing (control group, n = 58, M age = 43.8 ± 11.5 years). Parents/family members completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS), and the Family Perspective Profile form, as well as the Demographic Information form. Results: The PSS scores of the study group were higher than those of the control group ( p = .001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups in the CAS scores ( p = .896). According to the Family Perspective Profile form, almost half of the parents/family members of children with CIs reported that their children experienced difficulties in education and hearing health care services during the pandemic and showed some changes in their attitudes and behaviors. Conclusions: During the pandemic, the stress levels of parents/family members of children with CIs were higher than parents/family members of children with normal hearing. In addition to the challenges posed by the pandemic, the difficulties that parents/family members of children with CIs experience in meeting their children's additional needs related to accessing education and hearing health care services may have contributed to increased stress levels.