Cochlear implantation in children with congenital unilateral deafness: Mid-term follow-up outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

Although cochlear implantation is widely used to treat unilateral deafness in adults, very little literature exists on its use and effects on the paediatric population. This report adds to the literature showing the mid-term follow-up outcomes achieved by these children.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Three children with congenital unilateral deafness were studied after implantation. Speech perception in noise, and sound localization ability were evaluated using age-appropriate materials.

RESULTS

The preliminary data of our small group of 3 children with congenital unilateral profound hearing loss revealed that up to 3 years post-implantation, congenitally deaf children who received a cochlear implant after 4 years of age do not demonstrate binaural hearing benefits.

CONCLUSION

Early intervention in the prelingual phase may be crucial for the development of binaural hearing.