Cochlear implantation of Danish prelingually deaf children.

The aim of the study was to review the indications, techniques and results of cochlear implant (CI) treatment with the Nucleus CI multi-channel electrode for the first children operated on in Denmark. The study material comprised 16 children (5 girls, 11 boys). Their median age at the time of CI operation was 27 months. Anacusis was caused by pneumococcal meningitis in 31% of the children in this relatively young prelingual material. Obliteration of the cochlea was found in two children, indicating the need for surgery as soon as possible after the verification of post-meningitis, total deafness. There were no technical difficulties with operating on the youngest children in the congenital group and the age of 2 years is optimal for implantation. These preliminary results have contributed definitively to an increase in the number of cochlear implantations being carried out in young prelingually deaf Danish children.