Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Balance in children following cochlear implantation
Andrew Kelly1, Zhaobo Liu1, Shanna Leonard1
1a Royal Victoria Hospital , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
Insights
Cochlear implants significantly impact children's vestibular function, as shown by posturography. This inexpensive tool effectively assesses balance in implanted and non-implanted children.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Vestibular function is crucial for balance and spatial orientation.
- Cochlear implantation is a common treatment for severe to profound hearing loss in children.
- The impact of cochlear implants on vestibular function in pediatric populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare vestibular function in children with unilateral and bilateral cochlear implants against a control group of healthy, non-implanted children.
Main Methods:
- An observational case-control study was conducted involving 30 children (10 per group).
- Posturography, utilizing a Wii Balance Board and Vestio App, assessed balance and sensory interaction.
- Root mean square calculations quantified postural sway for each participant.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in vestibular function was observed between implanted and non-implanted children (P < 0.05).
- All children, particularly those with eyes closed on compliant surfaces, exhibited greater postural instability (P < 0.05).
- Testing completion rates were lower for implanted children: 30% for bilateral and 10% for unilateral implants.
Conclusions:
- Posturography is a cost-effective and user-friendly method for assessing pediatric vestibular function.
- The study confirmed significant differences in vestibular function between cochlear implant recipients and controls.
- Future research will involve interval post-operative testing to precisely determine the effects of cochlear implantation on vestibular function.
Objectives:
To assess the vestibular function of children who had unilateral and bilateral cochlear implants compared with a control group of otherwise healthy children who had not been implanted.
Study Design:
Observational case-control study.
Methods:
Posturography was carried out in the form of a Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance using a Wii Balance Board and the Vestio App on an iPod Touch. Thirty children in total were tested, 10 children in each cohort. Results in the form of root mean square calculations were available for each child.
Results:
Results showed a significant difference in the vestibular function of implanted children and the non-implanted control group (P < 0.05). As expected, children in all groups had more difficulty maintaining posture with their eyes closed on a compliant surface (P < 0.05). Thirty per cent of children with bilateral and 10% with unilateral cochlear implants were unable to complete testing.
Conclusions:
Our study demonstrates posturography as an inexpensive, easily operated tool that can be used to assess paediatric vestibular function. It showed a significant difference between the control group and the implanted groups. Further work prompted by this study will include interval post-operative testing to more accurately assess the effect that implantation has on vestibular function.
