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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Bilateral paediatric cochlear implants: a critical review
J Cyne Johnston1, Andrée Durieux-Smith, Douglas Angus
1University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Cyne.johnston@albertahealthservices.ca
Insights
Bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) show promise for children with severe hearing loss, potentially improving sound localization and speech understanding. Further research is needed to confirm benefits across various outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) is an emerging trend for pediatric severe to profound hearing loss.
- Evidence supporting this trend requires systematic evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize existing research on the effectiveness of bilateral cochlear implantation in children.
- To identify gaps in the current literature regarding bilateral CI outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of published research studies was conducted.
- A pre-determined search protocol was used to identify relevant articles from databases, reference lists, and journals.
- Twenty-nine articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Bilateral cochlear implants may enhance sound localization and speech recognition in noise compared to unilateral implants.
- Evoked potential measures suggest improved outcomes with earlier implantation of the second cochlear implant.
- This review identified additional pediatric studies contributing to the existing body of research.
Conclusions:
- Bilateral cochlear implantation demonstrates potential benefits for pediatric hearing loss.
- Further well-designed studies are necessary to evaluate cost-effectiveness, quality of life, speech, language, and psycho-educational outcomes.
- Robust evidence is needed to support clinical decisions regarding bilateral cochlear implants for children.
Abstract:
A recent trend has been the implantation of bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) for children with severe to profound hearing loss. A review of available research on bilateral CIs was conducted to determine the support for this trend. A replicable review was undertaken to evaluate published research studies that examined the effectiveness of bilateral paediatric cochlear implantation. Databases, reference lists, and journals were searched for relevant documents using a pre-determined search protocol. Twenty-nine articles met the review's inclusion criteria and were retrieved and reviewed. This review adds to the previously published reviews on the topic by identifying additional paediatric studies. Sound localization and speech recognition in noise appear to be improved with bilateral compared to unilateral cochlear implants. Similarly, evoked potential measures suggest improved morphology when the second CI is implanted early. Well-designed and controlled studies that explore a variety of outcomes including cost-effectiveness, quality of life, speech, language, and psycho-educational measures should be further explored in order to provide additional support for parents and clinicians confronted with the bilateral cochlear implant decision.
