Objective To explore the rehabilitation expectations among parents of children with cochlear implants, and to provide supportive rehabilitation strategies. Methods Fifteen parents of cochlear implant children under three hearing aid modes were interviewed by semi-structured interview, and the data were collated and analyzed by Colaizzi seven-step analysis method. Results Four themes were extracted: improving auditory ability (detecting sounds, distinguishing sounds, recognizing sounds, understanding hearing), developing speech pronunciation (understanding language, expanding vocabulary, oral expression), improving cognitive behavior (reduce perceptual differences, improve memory, strengthen thinking awareness, promote personality development), and adapting to social interaction (harmonious interpersonal relationship, smooth communication). Conclusion Parents of children with cochlear implantation have diversified expectations for rehabilitation, and it is necessary to help parents establish reasonable expectations for rehabilitation according to individual differences of children, so as to promote comprehensive rehabilitation of children.