title: Cochlear Implantation in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the outcome of cochlear implantation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case review and survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children who meet criteria for cochlear implantation and diagnosis of ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Receptive and expressive language scores and parental survey data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen patients with history of ASD and cochlear implantation were analyzed and compared with 15 patients who received cochlear implant and have no other disability. Postoperatively, more than 67% of children with ASD significantly improved their speech perception skills, and 60% significantly improved their speech expression skills, whereas all patients in the control group showed significant improvement in both aspects. The top 3 reported improvements after cochlear implantation were name recognition, response to verbal requests, and enjoyment of music. Of all behavioral aspects, the use of eye contact was the least improved. Survey results in regard to improvements in patient interaction were more subtle when compared with those related to sound and speech perception. The most improved aspects in the ASD patients' lives after cochlear implantation seemed to be attending to other people's requests and conforming to family routines. Of note, awareness of the child's environment is the most highly ranked improvement attributed to the cochlear implant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cochlear implants are effective and beneficial for hearing impaired members of the ASD population, although development of language may lag behind that of implanted children with no additional disabilities. Significant speech perception and overall behavior improvement are noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Adrien A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Eshraghi
authors.forename: Ronen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nazarian
authors.forename: Fred F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Telischi
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Annelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velandia
authors.forename: Ivette
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cejas-Cruz
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Balkany
authors.forename: Kaming
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Dustin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology