Clinical Portrait of Cochlear Implantation in Patients With CHARGE Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the clinical characteristics and auditory performance of patients with CHARGE syndrome following cochlear implantation (CI), as well as the prognostic factors affecting auditory outcomes.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

SETTING

Tertiary academic center.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with CHARGE syndrome who underwent CI from 2007 to 2022. The category of auditory performance (CAP) score was used to assess the CI outcomes, and factors that may affect the speech outcomes were also evaluated.

RESULTS

In 14 children with CHARGE syndrome, 22 CIs were performed, 6 unilaterally and 8 bilaterally. The mean age at CI was 25.9 months (range: 10-62). All patients had ear abnormalities and developmental delays, and cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) was present in all ears. At the last follow-up (mean: 49.6 months), the mean CAP score improved significantly compared to the preoperative measure (from 0.36 ± 0.81 to 3.21 ± 1.70, P = .001), with 6 patients (42.9%) achieving a CAP score of 4 points or higher. However, between the unilateral and bilateral CI groups, the final CAP score or change in CAP score was similar. Factors including age, coloboma, and CND did not significantly affect speech outcomes (all P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Even though CHARGE syndrome features challenging anomalies, CI can be conducted safely and can offer effective contribution to significant speech improvement. Patients with CHARGE syndrome should be given the opportunity to undergo CI to maximize their audiological progress.