Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Cochlear implantation in the very young child: Long-term safety and efficacy
J Thomas Roland1, Maura Cosetti, Kevin H Wang
1Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. tom.roland@med.nyu.edu
Insights
Cochlear implantation in infants under one year old is safe and effective long-term. Complication rates for these young children are similar to older patients, supporting continued monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Auditory Implants
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Universal newborn hearing screening increases infant hearing loss identification.
- Cochlear implantation in children under 12 months is increasingly common due to advanced diagnostics.
- Limited long-term safety and efficacy data exists for early cochlear implantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of cochlear implantation in children implanted before one year of age.
- To assess complication rates and auditory outcomes in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 50 children implanted before 12 months of age.
- Follow-up duration of up to 7 years, with implantation ages ranging from 5 to 11 months.
- Auditory assessments included the Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale and speech perception tests.
Main Results:
- All 50 patients achieved full electrode array insertion.
- Eight complications (16%) occurred in seven patients (three major, five minor) within 10 months postoperatively.
- No perioperative anesthetic complications were reported.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation before 12 months of age demonstrates long-term safety and efficacy.
- Complication rates are comparable to those in adult and older pediatric populations.
- Long-term monitoring of these young cochlear implant recipients is recommended.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
Widespread universal newborn hearing screening has led to increased identification of infant hearing loss. Supported by improved diagnostic tools allowing more definitive diagnosis of profound sensorineural hearing loss in young children, cochlear implantation in children <12 months of age is now common. Literature supports short-term safety and improved auditory outcomes in these young children, however long-term data is lacking. The study examines issues of long-term safety and efficacy in cochlear implant patients implanted <1 year of age.
Study Design:
Retrospective chart review.
Methods:
Fifty children who received cochlear implants before 1 year of age were followed for up to 7 years. Age at implantation ranged from 5 to 11 months with a mean of 9.1 months. Three patients had simultaneous bilateral implantation at 8 to 9 months of age. Medical records were reviewed for complications incurred during length of device usage, including time of complication, management, and resolution. Auditory assessment included both the Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale and tests of speech perception.
Results:
All 50 patients had full insertions of the electrode array. There were a total of eight complications (16%) in seven patients, three major (6%) and five minor (10%), which occurred at or before 10 months postoperatively. There were no perioperative anesthetic complications.
Conclusions:
Cochlear implantation in children <12 months of age is safe and efficacious over an extended period of time. Rates and nature of both major and minor complications are comparable to studies in adults and older children and support continued monitoring of these patients over the long-term.