Clinical application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in children and adolescents from a public hearing rehabilitation service

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: to develop an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Checklist for clinical application in the rehabilitation of children and adolescents presented with hearing loss, to describe the biopsychosocial profile of participants and present the results of the use of ICF by speech therapists. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional observational research, with quantitative and qualitative analyses. The study was conducted with five speech therapists, eight children aged 7 to 10 years and eight adolescents between 11 and 18 years old, diagnosed with moderate to profound bilateral hearing loss. Data collection included interviews, analysis of medical records and a questionnaire for the speech therapists. Exploratory data analysis was performed using summary measures and descriptive analysis of the profile of participants. Results: an ICF Checklist for clinical use in Hearing Rehabilitation was created. With its application, deficiencies related to hearing, speech and language functions were observed, with considerable difficulties in expressive and receptive language skills, learning and communication and access barriers related to communication and health services. Conclusion: the use of the Checklist expands the aspects observed by professionals, allows identification of the subjects' needs, and enables the recording and monitoring of worsening, stabilization or progress of the biopsychosocial aspects in the rehabilitation process.