Efficacy of cochlear implantation in cochlear nerve deficiency children - A single center study

Am J Otolaryngol. 2024 Nov-Dec;45(6):104428. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104428. Epub 2024 Jul 20.

Abstract

Purposes: The objective of this research was to interpret and analyze the imaging, audiological features and cochlear implantation outcomes in cochlear nerve deficiency children.

Material and methods: Retrospective analysis.

Results: 25 prelingual hearing loss children diagnosed cochlear nerve deficiency (CND), the age range from 1 to 15 (mean age, 5.04), underwent cochlear implantation at Ear Nose and Throat Hospital - Ho Chi Minh City (ENT hospital - HCMC) from 2016 to 2023. All children had sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) from severe to profound degree. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cochlear nerve hypoplasia in 76 % and cochlear nerve aplasia in 24 % of cases. Inner ear malformations were found in 52 % of cases. The mean Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) score at 1 year after surgery was 4.8. At 6 months and 1 year after surgery, the mean CAP score of the aplasia group was significantly lower than that of the hypoplasia group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: In cochlear nerve deficiency children, auditory perception and speech performance still improved after cochlear implantation. However, this progress was significantly limited in cochlear nerve aplasia group.

Keywords: Aplasia; Categories of auditory performance; Cochlear implantation; Cochlear nerve deficiency; Hypoplasia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Auditory Perception
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cochlear Implantation* / methods
  • Cochlear Nerve* / abnormalities
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Speech Perception
  • Treatment Outcome