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Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Additional difficulties associated with aetiologies of deafness: outcomes from a parent questionnaire of 540 children
Insights
Nearly half of children receiving cochlear implants (CIs) have additional difficulties, with trends linked to deafness aetiology. This highlights the need for informed pre-implant counselling and improved care for CI recipients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric audiology
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) are vital for severe-profound sensorineural deafness.
- Understanding co-occurring conditions in pediatric CI recipients is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
- Previous data on additional difficulties in this population may be underestimated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update clinical records on additional difficulties and health issues in pediatric CI recipients.
- To identify trends in co-occurring conditions based on the aetiology of deafness.
- To discuss the clinical implications for patient care and counseling.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire was distributed to parents/carers of 590 children with CIs.
- The questionnaire inquired about diagnosed additional difficulties and health issues impacting development.
- Responses were collated and analyzed to identify trends and distributions.
Main Results:
- A 91.5% response rate was achieved, with 47% of children having additional difficulties.
- 11% of CI recipients had three or more additional difficulties.
- Children deafened by cytomegalovirus, meningitis, or auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder showed higher rates of co-existing conditions like epilepsy and autism; those with Connexin 26 aetiology had minimal additional difficulties.
Conclusions:
- Findings will inform pre-implant counseling, especially for high-risk aetiologies.
- Improved CI recipient care is anticipated based on these updated data.
- The study suggests a higher prevalence of additional difficulties in children with severe-profound sensorineural deafness than previously reported.
Aim:
To update our clinical records of additional difficulties and significant health issues of children receiving cochlear implants (CIs) at the Nottingham Auditory Implant Programme, to investigate possible trends in cohorts of children with the same aetiology of deafness, and to discuss clinical implications.
Method:
A written postal questionnaire was sent to parents/carers of 590 children asking if their child had been diagnosed with specified additional difficulties and any significant health issues likely to impact on their child's listening and language development. Responses to these questionnaires were collated and the data reviewed.
Results:
Of the 91.5% questionnaires returned, the percentage of children with additional difficulties was found to be 47%. The numbers of CI recipients with three or more additional difficulties in this group were found to be 11%. The distribution of additional difficulties within cohorts of CI recipients with the same aetiology was examined, and trends were identified. Those deafened by cytomegalovirus or meningitis and those with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder were found to have the greatest number of co-existing additional difficulties including epilepsy and autism, while those with an aetiology of Connexin 26 had almost no additional difficulties.
Conclusion:
It is hoped that the information obtained will (i) inform the counselling of parents pre-implant, particularly with children whose aetiology means that there is a high risk of additional difficulties, and (ii) improve CI recipient care. The results suggest that children with severe-profound sensorineural deafness have more additional difficulties than has been previously cited.
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