1,164
Views
53
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Review Article

Bilateral paediatric cochlear implants: A critical review

, , , &
Pages 601-617 | Received 28 Mar 2008, Published online: 09 Sep 2009
 

Abstract

A recent trend has been the implantation of bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) for children with severe to profound hearing loss. A review of available research on bilateral CIs was conducted to determine the support for this trend. A replicable review was undertaken to evaluate published research studies that examined the effectiveness of bilateral paediatric cochlear implantation. Databases, reference lists, and journals were searched for relevant documents using a pre-determined search protocol. Twenty-nine articles met the review's inclusion criteria and were retrieved and reviewed. This review adds to the previously published reviews on the topic by identifying additional paediatric studies. Sound localization and speech recognition in noise appear to be improved with bilateral compared to unilateral cochlear implants. Similarly, evoked potential measures suggest improved morphology when the second CI is implanted early. Well-designed and controlled studies that explore a variety of outcomes including cost-effectiveness, quality of life, speech, language, and psycho-educational measures should be further explored in order to provide additional support for parents and clinicians confronted with the bilateral cochlear implant decision.

Abbreviations
ABR=

Auditory brainstem response

AdSpon=

Adaptive Spondee Test

BICI=

Bilateral cochlear implant

CAEP=

Cortical auditory evoked potentials

CI=

Cochlear implant

CIHA=

Cochlear implant and hearing aid

CRISP=

Children's Realistic Index of Speech Perception

ESPT=

Early Speech Perception Test

FM=

Frequency modulation

HA=

Hearing aid

HINT=

Hearing in Noise Test

LNT=

Lexical Neighbourhood Test

MAA=

Minimum audible angle

MLNT=

Multisyllabic Lexical Neighbourhood Test

N=

Number of participants

NH=

Normal hearing

PedsQL=

Pediatric Quality of Life Measure

R/L=

Right/left

SRM=

Spatial Release from Masking

SSQ=

Speech, Spatial, and Qualities-of-Hearing Scale

WNL=

Within normal levels

Abbreviations
ABR=

Auditory brainstem response

AdSpon=

Adaptive Spondee Test

BICI=

Bilateral cochlear implant

CAEP=

Cortical auditory evoked potentials

CI=

Cochlear implant

CIHA=

Cochlear implant and hearing aid

CRISP=

Children's Realistic Index of Speech Perception

ESPT=

Early Speech Perception Test

FM=

Frequency modulation

HA=

Hearing aid

HINT=

Hearing in Noise Test

LNT=

Lexical Neighbourhood Test

MAA=

Minimum audible angle

MLNT=

Multisyllabic Lexical Neighbourhood Test

N=

Number of participants

NH=

Normal hearing

PedsQL=

Pediatric Quality of Life Measure

R/L=

Right/left

SRM=

Spatial Release from Masking

SSQ=

Speech, Spatial, and Qualities-of-Hearing Scale

WNL=

Within normal levels

Sumario

Una tendencia reciente ha sido la colocación bilateral de implantes cocleares (IC) en niños con hipoacusias severas a profundas. Se condujo una revisión de la investigación disponible sobre IC bilaterales para determinar el apoyo a esta tendencia. Se realizó una revisión replicable para evaluar los estudios de investigación publicados que examinan la efectividad de la implantación coclear pediátrica bilateral. Se revisaron bases de datos, listas de referencias y revistas buscando documentos relevantes y utilizando un protocolo pre-determinado de búsqueda. Veintinueve artículos cumplieron los criterios de inclusión de la revisión y se extrajeron para ser revisados. Esta revisión se suma a revisiones publicadas previamente sobre el tema, identificando estudios pediátricos adicionales. La localización del sonido y el reconocimiento del lenguaje en ruido parecen mejorar con implantes cocleares bilaterales comparado con unilaterales. Similarmente, las mediciones de potenciales evocados sugieren una mejoría en la morfología cuando el segundo IC se coloca tempranamente. Estudios bien diseñados y controlados que exploren una variedad de resultados, incluyendo costo-efectividad, calidad de vida, habla, lenguaje y medidas psico-sociales deberían ser examinados para aportar apoyo adicional a los padres y clínicos confrontados con la decisión de una implantación coclear bilateral.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.