Abstract
Objective: Though the functional performance of children with hearing loss (HL) has been assessed through audiometric and educational testing, quality of life (QOL) has not been as thoroughly addressed. This systematic review was undertaken to test the hypothesis that QOL in children with HL is worse than children with normal hearing.
Method: MEDLINE, EBSCO, and EMBASE databases (end date 11/9/11) were searched for peer-reviewed articles that examined QOL of children 0 to 18 years with HL using validated QOL surveys. Abstracts were reviewed by 2 reviewers. Articles were excluded if children had fluctuating/temporary HL (such as otitis media) and/or cognitive impairment.
Results: Of 963 articles initially located, 32 articles will be included for further evaluation using modified STROBE criteria: 2 case-control studies, 11 observational cohort studies, and 19 cross-sectional studies. Meta-analysis will be performed to combine data from the studies, and sensitivity analysis will be performed to evaluate the effect of methodologic quality on the overall results. Tests of heterogeneity will be performed and the literature collected will be examined for evidence of publication bias.
Conclusion: We expect that though children with HL may experience worse QOL than their normal hearing peers, hearing assistive devices, such as conventional hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aids, and cochlear implants, may provide QOL benefits to these children, above and beyond functional benefits.
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