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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities
Published on: January 29, 2014
Cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) and behavioural measures of auditory function in a child with a
Oscar M Cañete1,2, Suzanne C Purdy1,2, Michel Neeff3
1a Speech Science, School of Psychology , The University of Auckland , New Zealand.
Insights
A cochlear implant (CI) significantly improved speech perception and sound localization in a child with single-sided deafness over 12 months. Behavioral and cortical responses showed positive changes, indicating the CI
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Single-sided deafness (SSD) presents unique challenges in auditory processing and spatial hearing.
- Cochlear implants (CIs) are increasingly used to address SSD, but long-term effects on auditory development and cortical plasticity require further investigation.
- Understanding changes in behavioral and cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) is crucial for assessing CI efficacy in children.
Observation:
- Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) and auditory skills were assessed in a child with SSD before and up to 12 months after cochlear implantation.
- Measures included sound localization, speech perception in noise, and parental questionnaires (LIFE, SSQ).
- Cortical responses (P1-N1-P2 complex) and behavioral auditory skills were analyzed over time.
Findings:
- Significant improvements in spatial speech recognition and sound localization were observed 12 months post-CI.
- Word recognition scores in the CI user approached those of normal-hearing children.
- Cortical responses showed changes, with clearer frontal P1-N1-P2 complexes, suggesting neural adaptation.
Implications:
- Cochlear implantation demonstrates significant benefits for children with single-sided deafness, improving auditory skills and quality of life.
- Observed changes in CAEPs suggest neural plasticity and adaptation following CI use in SSD.
- These findings support the use of CIs for SSD and highlight the need for continued research into long-term cortical changes.
Objectives:
To study the changes in behavioural and cortical responses over time in a child with single-sided deafness fitted with a cochlear implant (CI).
Methods:
Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) in noise (+5 dB signal-to-noise ratio) were recorded and auditory skills were assessed using tests of sound localization, spatial speech perception in noise, and self-ratings of auditory abilities (Listening inventory for education, LIFE and Speech, spatial and qualities of hearing questionnaire, SSQ parental version). Measures were obtained prior to and after a CI fitting, including one, six, and 12 months after the CI switch on.
Results:
Spatial speech recognition improved over time. At 12 months post-CI, word recognition scores were similar to those of normal hearing children. Signal-to-noise ratios for sentences decreased (i.e. improved) over time post-CI. Sound localization markedly improved at 12 months post-CI compared to baseline. Self-perception of difficulty scores decreased over time. Parental ratings of hearing abilities improved compared to baseline for all subscales. There were changes in the P1-N1-P2 complex at 12 months post-CI, which were clearer frontally across stimuli. Further research is needed to understand the significance of such changes after CI fitting for single-sided deafness.
Conclusion:
Although the changes observed could reflect maturational changes, the clinically significant improvement in recognition of speech in noise and improved questionnaire results suggest that the CI was beneficial, consistent with the feedback from the participant.
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