[Cochlear implantation in deaf children].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the results of cochlear implantation in deaf children.

DESIGN

Descriptive.

SETTING

Ear, nose and throat department, Academic Hospital, Nijmegen, and Institute for the Deaf St. Michielsgestel, the Netherlands.

METHODS

The results in 29 totally deaf children implanted with a 22-channel Nucleus implant--partly in a project supported by the National Fund for Investigative Medicine--in the period 1990-1996 were determined. Six of the children had congenital deafness, the others were deaf as a sequel to meningitis. The operation had no serious complications. All children were followed for at least two years. Progress in auditory perception and speech-language development were measured with structured tests.

RESULTS

There was a marked improvement in auditory performance, and language development (measured with Reynell test), although the level of normal hearing children was not reached by most of the operated children. The results were better for children with total insertion of the electrodes than for those with partial insertion (n = 4); of these last, one stopped using the implant.

CONCLUSION

Cochlear implantation can limit the consequences of total deafness in children.