Safety and functional results of early cochlear implant switch-on in children.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and the possible advantages of early (1-wk) cochlear implant switch-on in children and to compare impedance and ECAP threshold changes between subjects undergoing early switch-on and those undergoing traditional, 1-month switch-on.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Tertiary care referral pediatric center.


METHODS
Seventeen children receiving a unilateral or bilateral Nucleus Freedom cochlear implant were included, for a total of 20 ears. Ten ears were assigned to the early (1-wk) switch-on group and 10 to the control group (switch-on after 4 wks).


METHODS
Common ground impedance values and electrically evoked compound action potential thresholds were measured from intraoperation until 9 months postoperatively. Speech perception improvements over time were also assessed.


METHODS
Complication rate, impedance levels (kΩ), and electrically evoked compound action potentials (current levels)


RESULTS
Early switch-on was well tolerated by patients and did not cause complications. Impedances dropped significantly after switch-on in both groups. They also seemed to achieve an earlier stability in the early switch-on patients, although the difference between groups was not significant. ECAP thresholds showed a similar, nonsignificant decreasing trend over time in both groups. Speech perception improvements did not differ between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study investigating the safety and the effects of an early cochlear implant switch-on in children. Results show that such a procedure is well tolerated by pediatric subjects and free from complications. Impedance measurements suggest that the earlier switched-on subjects benefit of lower and more stable impedances than subjects undergoing 1-month switch-on.
Audiology-Otology Unit and Cochlear Implant Tertiary Care Center, ENT Department of the "Bambino Gesù" Paediatric Hospital and Scientific Research Institute, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.
Pasquale
P
Marsella
Alessandro
A
Scorpecci
Concettina
C
Pacifico
Alessandra
A
Resca
Maria Vittoria
MV
Vallarino
Angelo
A
Ingrosso
Stefania
S
Luchenti
D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors