Factors Affecting Early and Late Cochlear Implantation

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cochlear implantation is a critical intervention for pre-lingual deafness.
• Factors influencing the timing of cochlear implantation require detailed investigation.
• Understanding these factors can optimize audiological care for children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors affecting early versus late cochlear implantation in pediatric patients.
• To analyze demographic and diagnostic intervals related to cochlear implant timing.
• To assess the impact of universal neonatal hearing screening on implantation timelines.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study of 159 pediatric cochlear implant recipients with pre-lingual deafness.
• Data collected from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Cochlear Implant Programme (January 2019 - December 2020).
• Analysis of demographics, hearing loss etiology, and intervals from diagnosis to hearing aid fitting and implantation.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between universal neonatal hearing screening and the interval from diagnosis to implantation (p=0.033).
• The majority of patients were female (52%), of Chinese ethnicity (57%), and from middle-income families (56%).
• Idiopathic hearing loss was the most common etiology (87%).

Conclusions:

• Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS) is a significant factor influencing early and late cochlear implantation.
• The median age of diagnosis was 18 months, with implantation at a median of 34 months.
• The median interval from diagnosis to hearing aid fitting was 2 months, and to implantation was 16 months.