Emotional changes in children undergoing cochlear implantation through evaluation of their drawings

Abstract

Background: The emotional changes of patients undergoing cochlear implantation (CI) has been addressed in a few studies. To date, no special test has been developed to measure these changes. Objective: To measure the emotional status of children undergoing CI by interpreting their drawings. Methods: A prospective longitudinal study on prelingually deafened children from 4-14 years of age undergoing CI and sex and age-matched non-CI candidate deaf children comprised the study population. Drawings were produced before implantation and after 1, 3, 6, and 12-month intervals. These were scored with regard to a questionnaire developed in Amir Aalam Hospital Hearing Research Center, Tehran, Iran. Results: The prevalence of drawings with cues of rage/anxiety decreased from 35% to 21.9%. Similarly, sadness prevalence dropped from 36.8% to 20% and the prevalence of immaturity was reduced from 20% to 7.1%. Conclusion: We recommend drawing to be included in the rehabilitation program of children undergoing CI and used as a practical measure of their emotional progress.