Introduction:
This report summarises the pilot phase of a project, conducted at the World Hearing Center, Warsaw, Poland, on the role of social and environmental factors in the development of communication health in children with congenital deafness following cochlear implantation. This study validated the interview protocol, assessed the ICF-CY framework (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, Children & Youth version), and identified preliminary social determinants.

Material and methods:
The pilot study employed in-depth interviews (IDI) with 21 children with a CI and 20 of their parents. The interview framework was developed based on the ICF-CY framework. Qualitative analysis enabled the identification of key areas relevant to the development of communication health in children with a CI, including the school environment, social functioning, self-perception of disability, and parental involvement. The sample was selected using knowledge of the patient population attending the World Hearing Center, taking into account age at implantation, gender, and the absence of comorbid conditions.

Results:
Development and validation of the research tool: an interview framework for children with a CI and their parents or caregivers is presented. Data indicate that the school environment, including peer relationships and teacher support, was the most frequently identified factor affecting the quality of the children’s daily functioning. The children perceived their disability in varied ways, with most not identifying themselves as disabled, which highlights the need to reconsider traditional definitions of disability. Parental involvement and technical challenges related to the use of speech processors also emerged as important themes in user responses.

Conclusions:
The pilot study confirms the value of using the ICF-CY as a framework for examining social factors that affect communication health in children with a CI. It also highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and the need to incorporate psychosocial and environmental factors into the care of children with a CI. The findings point to the necessity of further research and the development of holistic support models tailored to this specific patient population.