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Vanstrum EB, Castellanos CX, Ziltzer RS, Ulloa R, Moen R, Choi JS, Cortessis VK. Cochlear implantation in Waardenburg syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2023; 175:111738. [PMID: 37847940 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition associated with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of this review is to characterize cochlear implant (CI) outcomes in patients with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of WS. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. REVIEW METHODS All reports describing defined sets of patients with WS who underwent CI and subsequent evaluation of clinical outcomes were included. To harmonize outcome data between studies that used different measures, a binary variable Favored CI was developed to capture success of procedures (1 = favored, 0 = unfavored) based on original authors' description, commentary, discussion, and conclusions. Expert reviewers independently reviewed and selected articles, extracted data and scored Favored CI values. Synthetic and analytic meta-analyses were implemented using standard analytic techniques. RESULTS Twenty articles meeting inclusion criteria provided data on 192 WS patients and 210 CIs. The mean age at CI was 3.8 years (95% confidence interval [95%CI]; 3.1-4.5 years), and the mean duration of follow up was 5.2 years (95% CI; 3.4-7.0 years). Surgical complications were rare (11/210 implants, 5.2%) where gusher was the most common complication. CIs yielded favorable hearing outcomes in 90% (95% CI; 84-94%) of cases, and appear successful for those with temporal bone anomalies (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Quantitative synthesis of the study data demonstrates that in the majority of patients with WS, CI yield favorable hearing outcomes and low rates of surgical complications. CI has shown to provide clinical benefits in patients with WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik B Vanstrum
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | | | | | - Ruben Ulloa
- Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Janet S Choi
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Minnesota, USA
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Lovett A, Eastwood M, Metcalfe C, Muzaffar J, Monksfield P, Bance M. Outcomes of Cochlear implantation in early-deafened patients with Waardenburg syndrome: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2023; 8:1094-1107. [PMID: 37621295 PMCID: PMC10446317 DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This systematic review aims to establish the expected hearing and speech outcomes following cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with profound congenital deafness secondary to Waardenburg syndrome (WS). Methods A systematic review of the literature and narrative synthesis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Databases searched: Medline, Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Collection, and ClinicalTrials.gov. No limits were placed on language or year of publication. Results Searches identified 186 abstracts and full texts. Of these, 16 studies met inclusion criteria reporting outcomes in 179 patients and at least 194 implants. Hearing outcomes of those receiving cochlear implantation were generally good. Five studies included genetic analysis of one or more of the participants. A total of 11 peri/post-operative complications were reported. The methodological quality of included studies was modest, mainly comprising noncontrolled case series with small cohort size. All studies were OCEBM grade III-IV. Conclusion Cochlear implantation in congenitally deafened children with Waardenburg Syndrome is a well-established intervention as a method of auditory rehabilitation. Due to the uncommon nature of the condition, there is a lack of large-scale high-quality studies examining the use of cochlear implantation in this patient group. However, overall outcomes following implantation are positive with the majority of patients demonstrating improved audiometry, speech perception and speech intelligibility supporting its use in appropriately selected cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Lovett
- Royal Stoke University HospitalStoke on TrentUK
| | | | - Chris Metcalfe
- Royal Stoke University HospitalStoke on TrentUK
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustQueen Elizabeth Hospital BirminghamEdgbastonUK
| | - Jameel Muzaffar
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustQueen Elizabeth Hospital BirminghamEdgbastonUK
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Peter Monksfield
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation TrustQueen Elizabeth Hospital BirminghamEdgbastonUK
| | - Manohar Bance
- Department of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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Clarós P, Remjasz A, Clarós-Pujol A, Pujol C, Clarós A. Waardenburg syndrome: characteristics and long-term outcomes of paediatric cochlear implant recipients. HEARING BALANCE AND COMMUNICATION 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21695717.2019.1630979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Clarós
- Cochlear Implant Centre, Clarós Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Agnieszka Remjasz
- Cochlear Implant Centre, Clarós Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Stefan Zeromski Specialist Hospital, Cracow, Poland
- Scholarship in Clarós Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Carmen Pujol
- Cochlear Implant Centre, Clarós Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andrés Clarós
- Cochlear Implant Centre, Clarós Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
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Sinha V, Jha S, Savani J. Ear anomalies (congenital) at referral hospital. INDIAN JOURNAL OF OTOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/indianjotol.indianjotol_123_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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van Nierop JWI, Snabel RR, Langereis M, Pennings RJE, Admiraal RJC, Mylanus EAM, Kunst HPM. Paediatric Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Waardenburg Syndrome. Audiol Neurootol 2016; 21:187-94. [PMID: 27245679 DOI: 10.1159/000444120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse the benefit of cochlear implantation in young deaf children with Waardenburg syndrome (WS) compared to a reference group of young deaf children without additional disabilities. METHOD A retrospective study was conducted on children with WS who underwent cochlear implantation at the age of 2 years or younger. The post-operative results for speech perception (phonetically balanced standard Dutch consonant-vocal-consonant word lists) and language comprehension (the Reynell Developmental Language Scales, RDLS), expressed as a language quotient (LQ), were compared between the WS group and the reference group by using multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 14 children were diagnosed with WS, and 6 of them had additional disabilities. The WS children were implanted at a mean age of 1.6 years and the 48 children of the reference group at a mean age of 1.3 years. The WS children had a mean phoneme score of 80% and a mean LQ of 0.74 at 3 years post-implantation, and these results were comparable to those of the reference group. Only the factor additional disabilities had a significant negative influence on auditory perception and language comprehension. CONCLUSIONS Children with WS performed similarly to the reference group in the present study, and these outcomes are in line with the previous literature. Although good counselling about additional disabilities concomitant to the syndrome is relevant, cochlear implantation is a good rehabilitation method for children with WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine W I van Nierop
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Magalhães ATDM, Samuel PA, Goffi-Gomez MVS, Tsuji RK, Brito R, Bento RF. Audiological outcomes of cochlear implantation in Waardenburg Syndrome. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2015; 17:285-90. [PMID: 25992025 PMCID: PMC4399710 DOI: 10.7162/s1809-97772013000300009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The most relevant clinical symptom in Waardenburg syndrome is profound bilateral sensorioneural hearing loss. AIM To characterize and describe hearing outcomes after cochlear implantation in patients with Waardenburg syndrome to improve preoperative expectations. METHOD This was an observational and retrospective study of a series of cases. Children who were diagnosed with Waardenburg syndrome and who received a multichannel cochlear implant between March 1999 and July 2012 were included in the study. Intraoperative neural response telemetry, hearing evaluation, speech perception, and speech production data before and after surgery were assessed. RESULTS During this period, 806 patients received a cochlear implant and 10 of these (1.2%) were diagnosed with Waardenburg syndrome. Eight of the children received a Nucleus 24(®) implant and 1 child and 1 adult received a DigiSonic SP implant. The mean age at implantation was 44 months among the children. The average duration of use of a cochlear implant at the time of the study was 43 months. Intraoperative neural responses were present in all cases. Patients who could use the speech processor effectively had a pure tone average of 31 dB in free-field conditions. In addition, the MUSS and MAIS questionnaires revealed improvements in speech perception and production. Four patients did not have a good outcome, which might have been associated with ineffective use of the speech processor. CONCLUSION Despite the heterogeneity of the group, patients with Waardenburg syndrome who received cochlear implants were found to have hearing thresholds that allowed access to speech sounds. However, patients who received early intervention and rehabilitation showed better evolution of auditory perception.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Angélica Samuel
- Audiologist. Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Robinson Koji Tsuji
- MD, PHD. Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rubens Brito
- MD, PHD. Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Ferreira Bento
- MD, PHD. Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
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Cejas I, Hoffman MF, Quittner AL. Outcomes and benefits of pediatric cochlear implantation in children with additional disabilities: a review and report of family influences on outcomes. Pediatric Health Med Ther 2015; 6:45-63. [PMID: 29388595 PMCID: PMC5683271 DOI: 10.2147/phmt.s65797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of children with hearing loss with additional disabilities receiving cochlear implantation has increased dramatically over the past decade. However, little is known about their auditory and speech and language development following implantation. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effects of cochlear implantation on the most common genetic and developmental disorders in children with hearing loss. Benefits of cochlear implantation for children with autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, CHARGE syndrome, cerebral palsy, learning disorders, Usher syndrome, Waardenburg syndrome, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are reviewed. Our review indicates that children with hearing loss and additional disabilities benefit from cochlear implantation, especially when implanted early. Thus, early interventions seem as important for these children as for deaf children without additional disabilities. Comparisons of outcomes across these disabilities indicate that children with little to no cognitive impairment (eg, Waardenburg sydrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) have better outcomes than those with greater deficits in intellectual functioning (eg, autism, CHARGE syndrome). In addition, parents of children with hearing loss and additional disabilities report higher levels of parenting stress and greater child behavior problems than those without comorbid diagnoses. However, these parents are as sensitive when interacting with their children as parents with typically developing children using cochlear implantation. Given these results, it is critical to evaluate these children's developmental milestones to provide early implantation and intervention, appropriately counsel families regarding realistic expectations for the implant, and facilitate family adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivette Cejas
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
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Kontorinis G, Goetz F, Lanfermann H, Luytenski S, Giesemann AM. Inner ear anatomy in Waardenburg syndrome: radiological assessment and comparison with normative data. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 78:1320-6. [PMID: 24882458 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE As patients with Waardenburg syndrome (WS) represent potential candidates for cochlear implantation, their inner ear anatomy is of high significance. There is an ongoing debate whether WS is related to any inner ear dysplasias. Our objective was to evaluate radiologically the inner ear anatomy in patients with WS and identify any temporal bone malformations. METHODS A retrospective case review was carried out in a tertiary, referral center. The high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans of the temporal bone from 20 patients (40 ears) with WS who were managed for deafness in a tertiary referral center from 1995 to 2012 were retrospectively examined. Measurements of 15 different inner ear dimensions, involving the cochlea, the vestibule, the semicircular canals and the internal auditory meatus, as well as measurements of the vestibular aqueduct, were performed independently by two neuroradiologists. Finally, we compared the results from the WS group with a control group consisting of 50 normal hearing subjects (100 ears) and with previously reported normative values. RESULTS Inner ear malformations were not found in any of the patients with WS. All measured inner ear dimensions were within the normative values compiled by our study group as well as by others. CONCLUSIONS Inner ear malformations are not characteristic for all types of WS; however, certain rare subtypes might be related to inner ear deformities. Normative cochleovestibular dimensions that can help in assessing the temporal bone anatomy are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Kontorinis
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, 1 Carl-Neuberg-Str., Hannover 30625, Germany; Department of Otolaryngology, Glasgow Southern Teaching Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, United Kingdom.
| | - Friedrich Goetz
- Department of Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, 1 Carl-Neuberg-Str., Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Heinrich Lanfermann
- Department of Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, 1 Carl-Neuberg-Str., Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Stefan Luytenski
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hannover Medical School, 1 Carl-Neuberg-Str., Hannover 30625, Germany
| | - Anja M Giesemann
- Department of Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, 1 Carl-Neuberg-Str., Hannover 30625, Germany
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Cochlear implantation in children with syndromic deafness. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2013; 77:1312-6. [PMID: 23773333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2012] [Revised: 05/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the outcome of cochlear implantation in children with syndromic deafness, who are increasingly being considered for cochlear implants and who represent a unique challenge to the cochlear implant team. METHOD In this retrospective case series in a tertiary referral cochlear implant centre, we describe a series of 38 children with a clinical syndrome causing deafness who have undergone cochlear implantation. The outcome measures are Bench-Kowal-Bamford (BKB) speech reception score (range 0-100%) and speech perception ability using the Geers and Moog Speech Reception Score (SRS) (range from 0; no speech perception, to 6; open set recognition of words). RESULTS The syndromes identified were Waardenburg syndrome (n = 10), Usher syndrome (n = 9), Pendred syndrome (n = 7), Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (n = 5), CHARGE syndrome (n = 2), and 1 each of Stickler, CINCA (Chronic Infantile Neurological Cutaneous and Articular), Bartter, Down, and Donnai-Barrow syndromes. After a minimum of 19 months following implantation, BKB was measurable in 20 of 38 patients, and ranged from 46 to 100% in quiet (median 87%, mean 81%). Eighteen children (55%) achieved a SRS at level six, and a further 8 (24%) achieved level five. There was significant variation of outcome between and within syndrome groups. CONCLUSIONS Additional disabilities are frequently encountered when considering children for cochlear implantation, and may be part of a recognised syndrome. Outcome is often excellent but can be variable even within the same syndrome group, and such children are therefore assessed on an individual basis to ensure a realistic expectation.
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Cochlear implantation outcomes in children with Waardenburg syndrome. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2011; 269:2179-83. [PMID: 22159916 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-011-1877-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 12/01/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is an autosomal dominant disease, characterized by dystopia canthorum, hyperplasia of the eyebrows, heterochromia iridis, white forelock, and congenital sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of cochlear implantation in children with WS and compare it with children with pure SNHL. In a prospective study we evaluated 336 cochlear implanted children from 2008 to 2010. The WS was diagnosed by its established criteria and for control group children without any dysmorphic features, anatomical, behavioral, and developmental disorders were also enrolled. We evaluated children of both groups 1 year after cochlear implantation by categories of auditory performance (CAP) and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) tests. Eighty-one children out of the total 336 who had SNHL were included in study. Out of these 75 (22.3%) were healthy and six (1.78%) had WS. Of the 75 healthy children 40 (53.3%) were girls, while of the six children with WS, three (50%) were girls. There was a significant difference in SIR between WS and cases with pure SNHL (2.67 ± 1.03 vs. 3.79 ± 1.11, p = 021) however, the difference was not significant in CAP (4 ± 1.26 vs. 5.13 ± 1.13, p = 0.082). Prevalence of WS was 1.78% at Baqiyatallah Cochlear Implant Center. One year after implantation there was no significant difference in auditory outcome; however, the difference in speech outcome was significant between WS and cases with pure SNHL.
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Outcomes and Special Considerations of Cochlear Implantation in Waardenburg Syndrome. Otol Neurotol 2011; 32:951-5. [DOI: 10.1097/mao.0b013e31821b3ae3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Deka RC, Sikka K, Chaturvedy G, Singh CA, Venkat Karthikeyan C, Kumar R, Agarwal S. Cochlear implantation in Waardenburg syndrome: The Indian scenario. Acta Otolaryngol 2010; 130:1097-100. [PMID: 20443755 DOI: 10.3109/00016481003713640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONCLUSION Children with Waardenburg syndrome (WS) exhibiting normal inner ear anatomy, like those included in our cohort, derive significant benefit from cochlear implantation and results are comparable to those reported for the general population of implanted children. OBJECTIVES The patient population of WS accounts for approximately 2% of congenitally deaf children. The purpose of this retrospective case review was to describe the outcomes for those children with WS who have undergone cochlear implantation. METHODS On retrospective chart review, there were four cases with WS who underwent cochlear implantation. These cases were assessed for age at implantation, clinical and radiological features, operative and perioperative course, and performance outcomes. Auditory perception and speech production ability were evaluated using categories of auditory performance (CAP), meaningful auditory integration scales (MAIS), and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) during the follow-up period. RESULTS In this group of children with WS, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months, the CAP score ranged from 3 to 5, MAIS from 25 to 30, and SIR was 3. These scores are comparable with those of other cochlear implantees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Chandra Deka
- Department of ENT, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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Kaufmann L, Sauter TB, Lee DJ. Dysplasia of the cerebellum in Waardenburg syndrome: outcomes following cochlear implantation. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 74:93-6. [PMID: 19926145 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2009.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2009] [Revised: 10/07/2009] [Accepted: 10/08/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study provides the first description of isolated cerebellar dysplasia associated with Waardenburg syndrome (WS) and includes a review of cochlear implant outcomes in 42 WS patients. A 1-year-old male infant presented with speech delay, iris heterochromia, profound hearing loss, and an asymmetric, underdeveloped right occipital skull on CT imaging. Brain MRI demonstrated a hypoplastic right cerebellum, no hydrocephalus, normal auditory nerves and brainstem. He underwent successful bilateral sequential cochlear implantation. Cochlear implants remain a reasonable habilitative option for WS patients with congenital deafness, including those with cerebellar abnormalities.
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Cullen RD, Zdanski C, Roush P, Brown C, Teagle H, Pillsbury HC, Buchman C. Cochlear Implants in Waardenburg Syndrome. Laryngoscope 2006; 116:1273-5. [PMID: 16826074 DOI: 10.1097/01.mlg.0000221959.67801.9b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Waardenburg syndrome is an autosomal-dominant syndrome characterized by dystopia canthorum, hyperplasia of the eyebrows, heterochromia irides, a white forelock, and sensorineural hearing loss in 20% to 55% of patients. This patient population accounts for approximately 2% of congenitally deaf children. The purpose of this retrospective case review was to describe the outcomes for those children with Waardenburg syndrome who have undergone cochlear implantation. METHODS Pediatric cochlear implant recipients with documented evidence of Waardenburg syndrome underwent retrospective case review. All patients received their cochlear implants at the study institution followed by outpatient auditory habilitation. Charts were reviewed for etiology and duration of deafness, age at time of cochlear implantation, perioperative complications, duration of use, and performance outcomes. Results of standard tests batteries for speech perception and production administered as a part of the patients' auditory habilitation were reviewed. RESULTS Seven patients with Waardenburg syndrome and cochlear implants were identified. The average age at implantation was 37 months (range, 18-64 months) and the average duration of use was 69 months (range, 12-143 months). All of these patients are active users of their devices and perform very well after implantation. There were no major complications in this small group of patients. CONCLUSIONS Children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss without other comorbidities (e.g., developmental delay, inner ear malformations) perform well when they receive cochlear implantation and auditory habilitation. Patients with Waardenburg syndrome can be expected to have above-average performance after cochlear implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Cullen
- The W. Paul Biggers, MD, Carolina Children's Communication Disorders Program, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7070, USA
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