Perception of quality of life in children and teenagers hearing aids users

Abstract

Introduction: With the advancement of technology, electronic devices related to hearing rehabilitation somehow fulfill the needs of users and improve quality of life and communication skills. Healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL), it is a subjective theme of difficult measurement, requires the use of questionnaires for such measurement. Objective: To analyze and compare the perception of quality of life of children and adolescents who use hearing aids in their point of view and of their relatives/guardians, correlating them with the audiological and school characteristics. Method: Cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive study, with structured interview and questionnaire. Sample was composed of 25 subjects (children and adolescents), aged between 08 and 18 years of age, diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The procedures used: Anamnesis; verification of hearing aids; (PedsQL) version 4.0 - Portuguese - Brazil, to analyze the perception of HRQOL of children/adolescents and their relatives/ caregivers. Conclusion: Subjects with sensorineural hearing loss diagnosis presented a similar perception of HRQOL compared to their parents/guardians’ answers. The analyzed variables in the hearing aid use profile did not demonstrate being associated to HRQOL of the deaf subjects. The group of adolescents suggested a lower self-perception of HRQOL than the pediatric age group.