Bilateral simultaneous cochlear implants in children: Best timing of surgery and long-term auditory outcomes.
Am J Otolaryngol 2024;
45:104124. [PMID:
38035465 DOI:
10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104124]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Evaluate the hearing outcomes of bilateral deaf children implanted simultaneously and define the most appropriate timing for surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Audiological CI results were retrieved in both the short-term and long-term period and compared by stratifying the patients into different subcohorts according to their age at surgery. Additional data collected were age at implant activation, etiology and timing of onset of deafness, presence of psychomotor delay.
RESULTS
fifty-six bilaterally implanted children were included. The short-term outcomes differed significantly when comparing groups of different ages at implantation: younger patients achieved better aided pure tone audiometry results. Considering long-term follow-up, a significant correlation was identified between an early age at implantation and the hearing outcome at ages 2 to 5 years. Perceptive levels were better at 4 years of age in the younger group. No significant differences were found between children implanted at before 12 months and between 12 and 16 months of age.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of the analyzed follow-up data support the hypothesis that children implanted at before 24 months are expected to have better hearing performances. Nevertheless, these results are referred to a widely heterogeneous group of patients and the duration of auditory deprivation should be considered.
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