Multichannel cochlear implantation in children with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.
This study examined the postoperative performance of multichannel cochlear implantation in children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss secondary to large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. Five children between ages 4 and 13 years who had large vestibular aqueducts confirmed by computed tomography scans underwent implantation of a CLARION Multi-Strategy Cochlear Implant between January 1995 and June 1996 at Boys Town National Research Hospital. In addition to preoperative evaluations, they were examined postoperatively with their implants on a battery of open-set speech recognition tests at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months following initial stimulation. Results indicated a noticeable improvement in open-set speech recognition within the first 3 months of implant use compared to preimplant performance with hearing aids. All 5 patients demonstrated substantial benefit from their implants, but there was variation among the children in the rate and amount of improvement in speech recognition skills.
Harker
L A
LA
Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska 68131, USA.
Vanderheiden
S
S
Veazey
D
D
Gentile
N
N
McCleary
E
E
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014723:Vestibular Aqueduct / Q000002:abnormalities*