Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ’Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Shahīd Ṣadūqī Yazd (Mar 2013)
The Effect of Age of Cochlear Implantation on the Improvement of the Auditory Performance in the Children Undergoing Cochlear Implantation
Abstract
Introduction: Hearing is one of the premier human senses. Being deprived from hearing is not only being unable to hear the sounds, but it is also the disability to gain a lot of helpful experiences. Cochlear implantation is introduced worldwide in order to treat the severe to profound hearing loss. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the effect of age of cochlear implantation on improvement of the auditory performance. Methods: The present follow-up study was conducted on 96 children who had referred to Fars Cochlear Implantation Center. The patients’ information was gathered from their profiles both before and after the operation. In addition, the auditory performance score was obtained in 3 stages – 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation – through the Cap test. Also, non-parametric tests of Fridman, Willcoxon, and Mann-Withney U were utilized in order to analyze the data of the study. Results: The mean of the children’s auditory performance 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation was measured as 2.8+1.03, 4.36+1.04, and 5.34+1.02, respectively. Besides, the median of their auditory performance 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation was calculated as 3, 5, and 5, respectively. Also, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the independent variable of age of cochlear implantation and the auditory performance score 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation. Conclusion: In line with other studies conducted on the issue, the present study showed the improvement of the auditory performance in the children who benefited from cochlear implantation. Moreover, the results of the present study revealed that the age of cochlear implantation can be of great help in determining the candidates of cochlear implantation. In other words, it can be a major prognostic factor of the response to the treatment
