title: Cochlear implantation in children with congenital unilateral deafness: Mid-term follow-up outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although cochlear implantation is widely used to treat unilateral deafness in adults, very little literature exists on its use and effects on the paediatric population. This report adds to the literature showing the mid-term follow-up outcomes achieved by these children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three children with congenital unilateral deafness were studied after implantation. Speech perception in noise, and sound localization ability were evaluated using age-appropriate materials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The preliminary data of our small group of 3 children with congenital unilateral profound hearing loss revealed that up to 3 years post-implantation, congenitally deaf children who received a cochlear implant after 4 years of age do not demonstrate binaural hearing benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early intervention in the prelingual phase may be crucial for the development of binaural hearing.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth WA 6, Australia. Electronic address: dayse.tavora@gmail.com.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Távora-Vieira
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, School of Surgery, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Rajan
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D046088:Hearing Loss, Unilateral / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013017:Sound Localization; D013067:Speech Perception
keywords: Binaural hearing; Cochlear implant; Paediatric unilateral deafness