title: Does cochlear implantation improve speech recognition in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder? A systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cochlear implantation (CI) is a standard treatment for severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, consensus has yet to be reached on its effectiveness for hearing loss caused by auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). This review aims to summarize and synthesize current evidence of the effectiveness of CI in improving speech recognition in children with ANSD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 studies from an initial selection of 237.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All selected studies were observational in design, including case studies, cohort studies, and comparisons between children with ANSD and SNHL. Most children with ANSD achieved open-set speech recognition with their CI. Speech recognition ability was found to be equivalent in CI users (who previously performed poorly with hearing aids) and hearing-aid users. Outcomes following CI generally appeared similar in children with ANSD and SNHL. Assessment of study quality, however, suggested substantial methodological concerns, particularly in relation to issues of bias and confounding, limiting the robustness of any conclusions around effectiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Currently available evidence is compatible with favourable outcomes from CI in children with ANSD. However, this evidence is weak. Stronger evidence is needed to support cost-effective clinical policy and practice in this area.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hearing Centre, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK. rachel.humphriss@uhbristol.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Humphriss
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Jennefer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maddocks
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Macleod
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sawaya
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Midgley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006313:Hearing Loss, Central / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013067:Speech Perception