[Cochlear implant in children].

Cochlear implant in children. In a newborn, sensitive auditory stimulations allow the progressive central auditory development. In a congenital severe or profound deaf child, a cochlear implantation can be considered if auditory thresholds are too low to provide an efficient auditory stimulation with hearing aids. This device includes an external processor, which receives and analyses surrounding sounds, and send them to the internal part surgically implanted. The electrode array placed in the cochlea stimulates auditory pathways. The implantation is performed in a multidisciplinary centre and is followed by long-term implant fitting and speech therapy rehabilitation. 25 years of clinical experience since shows that cochlear implant allows a good speech understanding, speech production and mainstream schooling in a majority of severe and profound hearing loss. Early implantation is a major element of good performance. Implant can be contraindicated or can provide limited results in cases of cochlear ossification or fibrosis, inner ear malformation, auditory neuropathy, or additional handicaps.