Objective: In individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implant surgery has emerged as a widespread treatment option in recent years. Considering that developmental areas affect each other, this operation performed in the early period can support all development areas of the child, especially in language development, and the quality of life. This study is aimed to examine the effect of cochlear implant operation on adaptation behaviors and quality of life in children.

Materials and Methods: A total of 40 children aged 3-15 years, with severe sensorineural hearing loss, who underwent unilateral cochlear implantation and used the device regularly for at least 1 year, were included in this study. Before the cochlear implant operation and 1 year after the operation, the parents of the children filled the Sociodemographic data (SDD) and The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) forms and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) were applied, and the results were compared.

Results: Eighteen (45%) of the participants were girls, 22 (55%) were boys, and the mean age was 6.18±3.40. It was observed that all of the participants continued their regular rehabilitation after the operation. When the pre- and post-operative scores were compared, the PedsQL subscale scores and VABS subscale scores (Communication, daily living skills, socialization and motor skils) were found to be significantly higher one year after the operation.

Conclussion: This study shows that cochlear implantation has a positive effect on quality of life, development of language skills, motor skills and socialization in children. Cochlear implant application in children with hearing loss is important in terms of supporting development and increases the quality of life of the child.