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Updated: May 3, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
United Kingdom national paediatric bilateral cochlear implant audit: preliminary results
Insights
Bilateral cochlear implants are now funded for UK children. A multi-center audit tracks outcomes like speech and quality of life in implanted children.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- UK public funding for pediatric cochlear implants was limited to unilateral cases before 2009.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines in 2009 expanded eligibility for bilateral cochlear implants.
- This included simultaneous bilateral or sequential bilateral implantation for eligible children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a multi-center audit of bilateral cochlear implantation outcomes in children.
- To collect and analyze data on audiological, speech, and quality of life measures.
- To evaluate surgical data, including complications, following bilateral cochlear implantation.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen UK cochlear implant centers formed a consortium for a multi-center audit.
- Data collected from simultaneously and sequentially implanted children at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 years post-implantation.
- Measures included sound localization, speech recognition (quiet/noise), speech production, listening skills, vocabulary, parental perception, and quality of life.
Main Results:
- The audit has collected data from 850 children up to March 2012.
- Initial data review focuses on outcomes at the 2-year post-implantation mark.
- Comprehensive data on audiological and quality of life improvements are being analyzed.
Conclusions:
- The study provides an early view of outcomes following the implementation of new UK guidelines for bilateral cochlear implants in children.
- The multi-center audit is crucial for understanding the effectiveness and safety of bilateral cochlear implantation.
- Findings will inform clinical practice and public health policy regarding pediatric hearing loss interventions.
Abstract:
Prior to 2009, United Kingdom (UK) public funding was mainly only available for children to receive unilateral cochlear implants. In 2009, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance for cochlear implantation following their review. According to these guidelines, all suitable children are eligible to have simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants or a sequential bilateral cochlear implant if they had received the first before the guidelines were published. Fifteen UK cochlear implant centres formed a consortium to carry out a multi-centre audit. The audit involves collecting data from simultaneously and sequentially implanted children at four intervals: before bilateral cochlear implants or before the sequential implant, 1, 2, and 3 years after bilateral implants. The measures include localization, speech recognition in quiet and background noise, speech production, listening, vocabulary, parental perception, quality of life, and surgical data including complications. The audit has now passed the 2-year point, and data have been received on 850 children. This article provides a first view of some data received up until March 2012.
