[Etiological evaluation of deafness in children].

In relation to cochlear implants, the authors review the various etiologies of deafness in infancy and childhood, either genetic or acquired in order to determine the criteria for advising implantation. They put forward the necessity of complete evaluation of all the auditory pathways involved to determine if a premature who has sustained hypoxicischemic encephalopathy and a full term baby have the same chance to benefit from cochlear implants after meningitis. Defined criteria are urgent needs for patients and parents.