Abstract:Abstract: Objective To explore the differential impact of simultaneous versus staged bilateral cochlear implantation (BCI) on the quality of life (QoL) of hearing-impaired children, aiming to provide a basis for formulating clinical treatment strategies. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 140 hearing-impaired children who underwent BCI at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hospital, between January 2023 and January 2025. According to the implantation method, they were divided into a simultaneous implantation group (SiBCI; bilateral implantation completed in one surgery) and a staged implantation group (SeBCI; bilateral implantation completed in two surgeries), with 70 cases in each group. Basic information about the children and their parents was collected using a general information questionnaire. The children's QoL was assessed using the Deaf Children's Quality of Life Scale (DCQOL). Results The DCQOL scores for physiological function, emotional function, social function, the common module for disabled children, the specific module for hearing-impaired children, and the total score were significantly higher in the simultaneous implantation group (n=70) than in the staged implantation group (n=70) (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in the role function dimension (P>0.05). Conclusion Simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation is generally superior to staged implantation in improving the quality of life of hearing-impaired children, with particularly comprehensive benefits observed in children aged ≥8 years. It is recommended to prioritize simultaneous implantation in clinical practice, accompanied by systematic postoperative rehabilitation.