[Cochlear implant: prognosis factors].
Deaf born patients have little or no benefit from a cochlear implant in comparison to postlingually deaf ones. When concerned with deaf born patients we do not expect open speech comprehension, definitely not when get implanted after the age of six. Also patients deafened in early age (7.-20. years of age) seem to have worse results than patients deafened in the third decade of their life or later, even if they got their operation only a few years after the onset of deafness. A striking point for the success is the duration of deafness: the shorter the duration, the better are the results. After ten years of deafness open speech comprehension can be expected only exceptionally. Etiology and genesis of the deafness are important in the sense that progressive deafened patients and patients with a post-leutic deafness have better expectations than those with a meningitic or traumatic deafness. Earlier experience with hearing aids may probably help the progressive deafened patients to perform better. The promontory test permits only a limited prediction. Burian et al. (Acta Otolaryngol. 97: 472-474, 1984) believe, that with a temporary difference limen of more than 100 ms a speech comprehension can not be expected. As long as the promontory test does not result in a quantitative score and we also do not know how many surviving hearing nerve fibres are required for speech comprehension, in our opinion, definite predictions on the basis of promontory test are not allowed. Normal psychological status and social surroundings are favourable conditions and can make rehabilitation easier.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lehnhardt
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Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik Medizinischen Hochschule Hannover, B.R. Deutschland.
D000367:Age Factors; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D013067:Speech Perception
Cochlear Implant: Prognose-faktoren.