Tecnologia assistiva no apoio à reabilitação auditiva infantil: identificação de dificuldades e requisitos para uma aplicação digital voltada a usuários de implante coclear

Home-based auditory training is an important complement to the rehabilitation of children with cochlear implants; however, its implementation may involve challenges related to children's attention, daily routine organization, and caregivers' guidance. This study aims to identify the main difficulties reported by parents and caregivers in conducting these activities and to propose functional and non-functional requirements for a digital assistive application to support pediatric auditory training. This applied research adopts a mixed-methods approach with exploratory and descriptive objectives. The methodology comprised a structured selection of scientific publications based on an adaptation of the ProKnow-C method and a field survey involving 50 parents or caregivers of children with cochlear implants, using an electronic questionnaire with closed-ended and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while open-ended responses were examined through thematic categorical content analysis. The results indicated that children's difficulty maintaining attention was the most frequently reported challenge (44%), followed by caregivers' difficulty in selecting appropriate exercises (40%) and establishing a consistent routine (38%). Regarding desired features, speech comprehension exercises (78%), sound identification (72%), and word recognition (68%) were the most frequently selected options. Based on these findings, requirements were proposed for short and interactive activities, adaptation to age groups and skill levels, caregiver guidance, progress monitoring, and routine reminders. The findings provide a basis for the future development of a digital application intended to complement speech-language rehabilitation. Its usability and contribution to auditory training remain to be evaluated.