Purpose 
Despite major improvements in rehabilitation possibilities, children with sensorineural hearing loss are at risk for
psychosocial difficulties. These difficulties can impact their educational and career achievements and may be two to three
times more common in children with hearing loss compared to those with normal hearing. Early identification of psychosocial
difficulties can be facilitated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and may improve outcomes and qual-
ity of life. We implemented the SDQ into the clinical follow-up of children with hearing loss in a tertiary referral hospital.
With this, prevalence and severity of difficulties in specific psychosocial domains and several predictors were investigated.
Methods 
A retrospective, cross-sectional investigation was performed of the following factors in association with the SDQ
results: type of hearing device, type and degree of hearing loss, speech perception in quiet and in noise, and type of schooling.
Results 
Between June 2020 and January 2022, parents of 312 children (age 4–18) completed the SDQ. An additional 113
child-reports were completed. The response rate of the parents was 69%. Problems with peer relationships and prosocial
behavior were the most affected areas with clinically elevated scores in 22% of the children. Psychosocial difficulties were
distributed similarly across types of hearing device, nature and degrees of hearing loss, and educational settings. Better
speech perception in quiet was significantly associated with fewer parent-reported conduct problems.
Conclusion 
The results of the present study suggest that children with hearing loss may be at risk of experiencing challenges
with social interactions and attachment in social contexts. Using the SDQ in clinical follow-up may improve the chances for
early psychological assessment and intervention. In addition, the study found that children’s mental health may be impacted
by their communication abilities.

**Purpose** 
Despite major improvements in rehabilitation possibilities, children with sensorineural hearing loss are at risk for
psychosocial difficulties. These difficulties can impact their educational and career achievements and may be two to three
times more common in children with hearing loss compared to those with normal hearing. Early identification of psychosocial
difficulties can be facilitated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and may improve outcomes and qual-
ity of life. We implemented the SDQ into the clinical follow-up of children with hearing loss in a tertiary referral hospital.
With this, prevalence and severity of difficulties in specific psychosocial domains and several predictors were investigated.
**Methods** 
A retrospective, cross-sectional investigation was performed of the following factors in association with the SDQ
results: type of hearing device, type and degree of hearing loss, speech perception in quiet and in noise, and type of schooling.
**Results** 
Between June 2020 and January 2022, parents of 312 children (age 4–18) completed the SDQ. An additional 113
child-reports were completed. The response rate of the parents was 69%. Problems with peer relationships and prosocial
behavior were the most affected areas with clinically elevated scores in 22% of the children. Psychosocial difficulties were
distributed similarly across types of hearing device, nature and degrees of hearing loss, and educational settings. Better
speech perception in quiet was significantly associated with fewer parent-reported conduct problems.
**Conclusion** 
The results of the present study suggest that children with hearing loss may be at risk of experiencing challenges
with social interactions and attachment in social contexts. Using the SDQ in clinical follow-up may improve the chances for
early psychological assessment and intervention. In addition, the study found that children’s mental health may be impacted
by their communication abilities.

First Results of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Applied as a Screening Tool for Psychosocial Difficulties in Pediatric Audiology

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm, that on behalf of the Cochlear Implant centers of the Radboud UMC in Nijmegen and Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam to invite you to attend the 16th European Symposium on Pediatric Cochlear Implantation to Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2023.

Yours sincerely, on behalf of the CI Centers at Radboud UMC and Erasmus MC,