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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Cochlear Implantation in Infants: Evidence of Safety
Nicholas L Deep1, Patricia L Purcell2, Karen A Gordon2
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, United States.
Insights
Cochlear implantation (CI) in infants under one year is safe, with no major anesthetic or device complications. This study supports earlier CI for severe-to-profound hearing loss in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Cochlear implantation (CI) is a critical intervention for severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- Early implantation in infants is increasingly considered but requires safety evaluation.
- Complications associated with CI in this young population need thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess surgical, anesthetic, and device-related complications of CI in children under one year.
- To evaluate the safety and feasibility of early cochlear implantation in infants.
- To determine the 30-day readmission rates and adverse event profiles.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter, retrospective chart review of infants (<1 year) who received cochlear implantation.
- Inclusion criteria: severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss and Cochlear Nucleus Implant System.
- Data collection focused on perioperative course, complications, and readmissions.
Main Results:
- No major anesthetic or device-related complications were reported in 136 infants (242 ears).
- 14% of implanted ears experienced adverse events (7 major, 27 minor), with a 1.5% 30-day readmission rate.
- Complication rates did not correlate with comorbidities or anesthesia duration; age at implantation (<9 vs. 9-11 months) showed no significant difference.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation surgery is safe in infants younger than one year.
- The findings support expanding the indication for CI to younger infants with bilateral, profound sensorineural hearing loss.
- Early CI using the Cochlear Nucleus Implant System is a viable option for this population.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate surgical, anesthetic, and device-related complications associated with cochlear implantation (CI) in children younger than 1 year of age. This was a multicenter, retrospective chart review of all children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who underwent cochlear implantation with a Cochlear Nucleus Implant System before 1 year of age. Endpoints included perioperative course, major and minor surgical, anesthetic and device-related complications, and 30-day readmission rates. One hundred thirty-six infants (242 ears) met criteria. The mean age at implantation was 9.4 months (standard deviation 1.8). Six-month follow-up was reported in all patients. There were no major anesthetic or device-related complications. Adverse events were reported in 34 of implanted ears (14%; 7 major, 27 minor). Sixteen adverse events occurred ≤30 days of surgery, and 18 occurred >30 days of surgery. The 30-day readmission rate was 1.5%. The rate of adverse events did not correlate with preexisting medical comorbidities or duration under anesthesia. There was no significant difference detected in complication rate for patients younger than 9 months of age versus those 9 to 11 months of age. This study demonstrates the safety of CI surgery in infants and supports reducing the indication for cochlear implantation to younger than 1 year of age for children with bilateral, profound sensorineural hearing loss obtaining a Cochlear Nucleus Implant System.
