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Updated: May 15, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Factors contributing to limited or non-use in the cochlear implant systems in children: 11 years experience
Süleyman Özdemir1, Ülkü Tuncer, Özgür Tarkan
1Çukurova University School of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Adana, Turkey. drsozdemir@gmail.com
Insights
Pediatric cochlear implant non-use and limited use occur in 2.90% of cases, often linked to additional disabilities. These children require specialized rehabilitation and family support for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Audiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Cochlear implantation is a common treatment for pediatric hearing loss.
- Understanding factors influencing cochlear implant use is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
- Limited or non-use of cochlear implants can significantly impact a child's development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of cochlear implant non-use and limited use in pediatric patients.
- To identify etiologic factors associated with cochlear implant non-use and limited use.
- To investigate the influence of patient age, gender, implantation duration, and additional disabilities.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 413 pediatric patients implanted between 2000 and 2011.
- Selection of 12 patients with a minimum 24-month follow-up exhibiting limited or non-use.
- Assessment of auditory performance using Listening Progress Profile (LiP) and Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS) tests.
Main Results:
- 12 patients (2.90%) were identified as limited or non-users (4 non-users, 8 limited users).
- Additional disabilities were present in all limited/non-users, including autism, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.
- Limited users showed improved auditory performance scores at 24 months post-implantation compared to non-users.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients with additional disabilities (e.g., autism, mental-motor retardation) are at higher risk for limited or non-use of cochlear implants.
- These patients require tailored rehabilitation strategies and significant family and educational engagement.
- Early identification and intervention for potential limited/non-users are essential for maximizing the benefits of cochlear implantation.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and etiologic factors of non-use and limited use of cochlear implants. The patients' age, gender, duration of implantation and additional disabilities were investigated.
Patients And Methods:
Of the 413 (200 males, 213 females) pediatric patients (age under 16) implanted in our clinic between January 2000 and December 2011, 12 limited user/non-user cochlear implanted patients were selected who had a follow-up of at least 24 months. Preoperative and postoperative listening progress profile (LiP) and meaningful auditory integration scale (MAIS) tests were performed to analyze the auditory performances of the patients.
Results:
In total of 12 recipients (2.90%) (7 male and 5 female patients; age range, 5-13 years), 4 (0.96%) patients were non-users and 8 (1.93%) patients were limited users. The patients had some additional disabilities as autism, cerebral palsy, moderate mental retardation, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ossified cochlea due to meningitis and learning disability-lack of family interest. None had experienced device failure. In the postoperative 24th month, listening progress profile and meaningful auditory integration scale test scores were better in the limited users as expected.
Conclusions:
It should always be considered in patients with additional factors like autism, mental-motor retardation, learning disabilities that they will show limited development from cochlear implantation. These patients are potential limited/non-users. These patients require unique rehabilitation and provide high family and educational interest.
