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Multichannel cochlear implantation in children with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome
L A Harker1, S Vanderheiden, D Veazey
1Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA.
Insights
Multichannel cochlear implants significantly improved speech recognition in children with severe hearing loss due to large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. Benefits were observed within three months, though individual results varied.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric audiology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) is a common cause of congenital sensorineural hearing loss in children.
- Children with LVAS often experience severe-to-profound hearing loss, impacting speech development.
- Cochlear implantation is a potential treatment option for hearing loss in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the postoperative performance of multichannel cochlear implantation in children diagnosed with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss secondary to LVAS.
- To assess the impact of cochlear implants on open-set speech recognition in this pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of five children (ages 4-13) with confirmed LVAS underwent implantation with a CLARION Multi-Strategy Cochlear Implant.
- Postoperative speech recognition was evaluated using open-set tests at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after initial device stimulation.
- Preoperative hearing aid performance served as a baseline for comparison.
Main Results:
- A notable improvement in open-set speech recognition was observed within three months of cochlear implant use compared to pre-implant hearing aid performance.
- All five pediatric patients demonstrated substantial benefits from cochlear implantation.
- Individual variations in the rate and extent of speech recognition improvement were noted among the participants.
Conclusions:
- Multichannel cochlear implantation is an effective intervention for improving speech recognition in children with severe-to-profound hearing loss associated with LVAS.
- Early audiological rehabilitation with cochlear implants can lead to significant functional gains.
- Further research may explore factors influencing variability in outcomes for personalized treatment strategies.
Abstract:
This study examined the postoperative performance of multichannel cochlear implantation in children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss secondary to large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. Five children between ages 4 and 13 years who had large vestibular aqueducts confirmed by computed tomography scans underwent implantation of a CLARION Multi-Strategy Cochlear Implant between January 1995 and June 1996 at Boys Town National Research Hospital. In addition to preoperative evaluations, they were examined postoperatively with their implants on a battery of open-set speech recognition tests at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months following initial stimulation. Results indicated a noticeable improvement in open-set speech recognition within the first 3 months of implant use compared to preimplant performance with hearing aids. All 5 patients demonstrated substantial benefit from their implants, but there was variation among the children in the rate and amount of improvement in speech recognition skills.