Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Robotic Cochlear Implantation for Direct Cochlear Access
Published on: June 16, 2022
Cochlear implantation outcomes in children with multiple disabilities: a topic that's worth revisiting
Goh Bee-See1, Nur Af'Idah Mohd Zulkefli2, Asma Abdullah1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Center of Ear, Hearing and Speech (HEARS), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Insights
Cochlear implantation significantly improved auditory and speech skills in children with hearing loss and multiple disabilities. Parents reported substantial benefits, highlighting the importance of considering quality of life alongside clinical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Children with hearing loss and multiple disabilities (MD) present unique challenges for auditory rehabilitation.
- Cochlear implantation (CI) is a potential intervention, but its efficacy in this complex population requires thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits of cochlear implantation in children with hearing loss and multiple disabilities.
- Assess improvements in auditory outcomes, speech performance, and quality of life post-implantation.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 31 children with hearing loss and MD, including Global Developmental Delay (GDD).
- Auditory and speech performance assessed using Categories of Auditory Performance II (CAP-II) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scales.
- Quality of life evaluated via Parents Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) and Perceived Benefit Questionnaire (PBQ).
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in mean CAP-II and SIR scores were observed with increased hearing age (p < 0.05).
- 64.5% of children achieved verbal communication post-implantation.
- Parents reported high perceived benefits (96%-100%) across auditory, communication, and speech domains; PEACH scores were better in quiet than in noise.
Conclusions:
- Cochlear implantation demonstrates clear benefits for children with hearing loss and multiple disabilities.
- Outcomes should encompass auditory, speech, and quality of life improvements.
- Individualized approaches and realistic family expectations are crucial for successful CI in this population.
Objectives:
To determine the benefits of cochlear implantation in hearing loss children with multiple disabilities (MD) in terms of auditory outcomes, speech performance, and their quality of life.
Methods:
This was a cross sectional study from January 2019 to December 2020 in which thirty-one children with hearing loss and multiple disabilities were evaluated. Their improvement in auditory and speech performances were assessed using Categories of Auditory Performance version II (CAP-II) and the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scales. The assessment was done at 6-month intervals, with the baseline evaluation done at least six months after activation of the implant. Parents were asked to fill the Parents Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) diary and Perceived Benefit Questionnaire (PBQ) to evaluate the child's quality of life.
Results:
All 31 children have Global Developmental Delay (GDD), with 11 having an additional disability. Both mean CAP-II and SIR scores showed significant improvement with increased hearing age (p < 0.05) after 6-month intervals. In addition, 20 out of 31 children (64.5%) have achieved verbal communication after implantation. The mean PEACH score in quiet was significantly better than in noise (p = 0.007) and improved with the increased of hearing age. The majority of parents (96%‒100%) perceived a cochlear implant as beneficial to their child in terms of auditory response, awareness, interaction, communication, and speech development.
Conclusions:
Cochlear implantation had shown benefits in children with multiple disabilities. Outcome measures should not only focus on auditory and speech performances but the improvement in quality of life. Hence, individualized each case with realistic expectation from families must be emphasized in this group of children.
Level Of Evidence:
Level 3.
