Outcome of Cochlear Implantation at Different Ages from 0 to 6 Years

TLDR

The study aimed to assess how the age at cochlear implantation influences auditory performance and school integration in children born deaf. Researchers conducted a retrospective longitudinal and cross‑sectional analysis of 48 to 70 children implanted before age six, all receiving multichannel devices, and measured CAP scores and mainstream school integration. Implantation before age two yielded immediate CAP normalization and 90 % kindergarten integration; ages two to four produced normal CAP after three years and 66 % primary‑school integration; implantation after four rarely achieved normal CAP or mainstream school placement, underscoring the importance of early intervention.

Abstract

To evaluate the outcome of cochlear implantation in young children in relation to the age at implantation.A retrospective longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of pediatric cochlear implant patients.All children with congenital deafness who underwent implantation before the age of 6 years (n = 48 for the longitudinal analysis and n = 70 for the cross-sectional analysis)All children received a multichannel cochlear implant.Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) score and integration into the mainstream school system.For all children, the CAP score increased after implantation. Implantation beyond the age of 4 years hardly ever resulted in normal CAP scores or in integration into the mainstream primary school (20 to 30% of cases). Implantation between the age of 2 and 4 years always resulted in normal CAP scores after 3 years with a 66% probability of integration into the primary school. Implantation before the age of 2 years always resulted in immediate normalization of the CAP scores, with a 90% probability of integration into the mainstream kindergarten, well before entrance into the primary school.All children with congenital deafness who underwent implantation before the age of 6 years appeared to benefit from the implant. However, these data add evidence to the importance of early implantation (before the age of 2 years). Intervention before the age of 4 years seemed to be critical to avoid irreversible auditory performance losses, and intervention before the age of 2 years seemed to be critical to achieve optimal results.