Auditory perception outcomes in children with deafness and additional disabilities 12 months after cochlear implant activation

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the progress in auditory speech perception in a group of children with cochlear implants and additional disabilities, whose implants were implanted at a public hospital in southern Chile between 2013 and 2019. This population has historically been...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Martínez Pantanalli, Celia|||0000-0001-7345-7704, Bravo-Torres, Sofía|||0000-0003-4376-6439
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:315678
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/315678
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3390/audiolres15030047
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cochlear implantation
Speech perception
Deafness with additional disabilities
Pediatric implantation
Descripción
Sumario:Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the progress in auditory speech perception in a group of children with cochlear implants and additional disabilities, whose implants were implanted at a public hospital in southern Chile between 2013 and 2019. This population has historically been excluded from research due to uncertainties regarding their outcomes. Methods: All pediatric patients who received cochlear implants between 2013 and 2019 were considered for inclusion. After obtaining informed consent, relevant data were collected from their medical records. A total of 18 children met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using Jamovi software. Results: The minimum age at cochlear implant activation was 2 years, and the maximum was 16.1 years. The median Category of Auditory Performance (CAP) score was 0 pre-implantation and increased to 2 to 12 months post-implantation. Conclusions: Cochlear implantation provides clear benefits for children with additional disabilities. Although gains in auditory perception may be limited in some cases, implantation enables access to the world of sound. Even when oral language development is not fully achieved, parents frequently report positive changes in their children's interaction with their environment, suggesting an overall improvement in quality of life.