United Kingdom national paediatric bilateral audit

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Pediatric Medicine
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Historically, UK public funding primarily supported unilateral cochlear implants for children.
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines revised in 2009 enabled bilateral cochlear implants for suitable children.
• NICE planned a review of these guidelines in 2011, necessitating data collection on bilateral implant outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a multi-center audit evaluating the outcomes of simultaneous and sequential bilateral cochlear implants in children.
• To gather comprehensive data in preparation for the 2011 NICE guideline review.
• To assess various functional and quality-of-life measures in pediatric cochlear implant recipients.

Main Methods:

• A consortium of 13 UK cochlear implant centers collaborated on the multi-center audit.
• Data were collected from children receiving simultaneous or sequential bilateral cochlear implants at three time points: pre-implantation, 1 year post-implantation, and 2 years post-implantation.
• Evaluated measures included speech recognition (quiet/noise), localization, speech production, listening skills, vocabulary, parental perception, quality of life, and surgical complications.

Main Results:

• The audit has collected data from over 400 children past the 1-year post-implantation mark.
• Preliminary results are anticipated approximately one year after the 1-year data collection point.
• The study is ongoing, with 2-year post-implantation data yet to be fully analyzed.

Conclusions:

• The ongoing audit provides crucial data on the efficacy and safety of bilateral cochlear implantation in children.
• Findings will inform future NICE guidelines and clinical practice regarding pediatric cochlear implantation in the UK.
• The comprehensive data collection aims to support evidence-based decisions for improving hearing outcomes in children.