Factors Impacting Datalogging After Prelingual Cochlear Implantation in Children

Ashwini M Tilak1, Hengameh K Behzadpour1, Francesca T DeFaria1

  • 1Division of Otolaryngology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.

The Laryngoscope
|July 23, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cochlear implant (CI) usage in children with prelingual deafness is lower with inner ear malformations, medical comorbidities, and in non-White children. Age at implantation did not significantly impact CI device usage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Audiology
  • Biostatistics

Background:

  • Children with prelingual deafness face management delays and are vulnerable to socioeconomic factors impacting cochlear implant (CI) use.
  • Understanding factors influencing CI device usage is crucial for optimizing outcomes in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate patient factors associated with cochlear implant usage in children with prelingual deafness.
  • To identify predictors of CI device usage using objective datalogging measures.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 102 children with prelingual deafness (165 ears) from 2008-2024.
  • Multivariate and univariate regression analyses examined associations between age at implantation, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, inner ear malformation, and CI usage.

Main Results:

  • Average daily CI usage was 8.3 hours.
  • Significantly lower usage was observed in children with inner ear malformations (6.8h), medical comorbidities (8.0h), and non-White children (5.3h).
  • Age at implantation (average 31.2 months) was not statistically associated with CI usage.

Conclusions:

  • Inner ear malformation, race, presence of comorbidity, and time since implant activation are significant factors influencing CI usage in children with prelingual deafness.
  • Objective datalogging reveals key variables impacting device utilization in this vulnerable population.
  • Findings aid in patient selection and counseling for cochlear implantation.
Abstract

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