Pediatric Cochlear Implantation

Abstract

Background: Cochlear implants (CIs) are nowadays a widely accepted treatment for sensorineural hearing loss. Aim: This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics and the surgical approach and to evaluate the outcomes of our experience in cochlear implantation in pediatric population at the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery of Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 113 children with severe-to-profound hearing loss who underwent a cochlear implantation between 2007 and 2018. Results: There were 65 females and 48 males with severe-to-profound bilateral deafness, of whom 103 had prelingual deafness. The mean age of pediatric cochlear implantation was 5.25 years. Implantation was unilateral in all patients. The procedure was followed by regular adjustments and speech therapy. The evaluation was carried out by the same team each month during the first 6 months and then every 6 months. The average duration of follow-up was 38.94 months. All patients benefited from their implants with interindividual variability. The good results were correlated with early implantation, significant parental investment, and a steady follow-up of speech therapy. Conclusion: Cochlear implantation has revolutionized the management of severe-to-profound deafness. It is a safe and effective technique when it is aimed at correctly selected populations.