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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
A case-control study comparing auditory and speech outcomes after cochlear implantation in children with and without
Seyed Basir Hashemi1,2, Alireza Yousefi1, Leila Monshizadeh2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Insights
Pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) outcomes are improved in children with epilepsy, though scores may be lower than in non-epileptic peers. Epilepsy does not contraindicate CI, as significant auditory gains are still possible.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Audiology
Background:
- Outcomes of pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) in children with epilepsy are not well-defined.
- Epilepsy's impact on CI success requires further characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare auditory and speech outcomes in pediatric CI recipients with and without epilepsy.
- To determine if epilepsy should be a contraindication for CI.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-control study of children aged 2-6 years (23 with epilepsy, 25 without).
- Auditory and speech performance assessed using Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scales at 6 and 12 months post-implantation.
- Statistical analysis using repeated-measures models with bootstrap validation.
Main Results:
- Children without epilepsy achieved significantly higher absolute CAP and SIR scores (p < 0.001).
- Children with epilepsy showed substantial improvement, with notable relative gains in auditory perception in the second 6-month interval.
Conclusions:
- Epilepsy is linked to reduced postoperative performance after CI.
- However, epilepsy does not prevent significant benefits from cochlear implantation.
- Children with epilepsy should not be excluded from CI candidacy based solely on anticipated lower scores.
Background:
The outcomes of pediatric cochlear implantation (CI) in children with epilepsy have not been thoroughly characterized.
Aims/Objectives:
To compare auditory and speech outcomes in pediatric CI recipients with and without epilepsy, and to evaluate whether the presence of epilepsy should contraindicate CI.
Materials And Methods:
This retrospective case-control study included children aged 2-6 years, comprising 23 with epilepsy (cases) and 25 without epilepsy (controls). Outcomes were evaluated using the Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP; scale 0-7) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR; scale 1-5) at 6 and 12 months following implantation. Repeated-measures models with bootstrap validation were employed to account for within-subject correlations.
Results:
The control group attained significantly higher absolute scores on the CAP and SIR scales (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, the epilepsy group exhibited substantial improvement, particularly with greater relative gains in auditory perception during the second six-month interval.
Conclusions:
Epilepsy is associated with reduced postoperative performance; however, it does not preclude substantial benefits from CI.
Significance:
Children with epilepsy should not be excluded from cochlear implant candidacy solely on the basis of anticipated lower performance scores.
