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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Bilateral cochlear implants should be the standard for children with bilateral sensorineural deafness
Blake C Papsin1, Karen A Gordon
1Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada. blake.papsin@utoronto.ca
Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery
|January 17, 2008
Summary
For children receiving bilateral cochlear implants, shorter waiting times for initial implantation and between the first and second ear implants are crucial. Early intervention with cochlear implants (CI) supports better hearing outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Speech and Hearing Sciences
Background:
- Bilateral cochlear implants aim to restore binaural hearing in children.
- Historically, concerns about bilateral implantation have been challenged by recent evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of timing on outcomes for pediatric bilateral cochlear implantation.
- To inform clinical practice regarding optimal implantation intervals.
Main Methods:
- Review of behavioral and electrophysiological outcomes in children with bilateral cochlear implants.
- Analysis of the effects of pre-implantation deafness duration and inter-stage interval.
Main Results:
- The duration of deafness before the first cochlear implant significantly impacts speech and language development.
- The interval between the first and second cochlear implant (inter-stage interval) affects binaural processing development.
Conclusions:
- Narrow intervals between deafness onset and cochlear implantation, and between sequential implants, are recommended.
- Simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation is preferred; otherwise, limit the inter-stage interval.
- Further research is needed to define cost-effectiveness thresholds for longer inter-stage intervals.
