Outcomes and Measures of Children with Bilateral Cochlear Implants: A Single-center Experience in Bangladesh

Abstract

Children dealing with hearing impairment encounter challenges associated with speech and language delays, significantly impacting their quality of life. Recent data from the World Health Organization indicate that 466 million people worldwide experience disabling hearing loss, with 34 million being children. Cochlear implantation (CI) is a novel approach for severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. In pediatric CI, the main objective is to enable hearing-impaired children to perceive sound promptly, facilitating speech and language development. This study investigated the outcomes of bilateral pediatric cochlear implant (CI) users in Bangladesh, applying the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing questionnaire and the Classification of Auditory Performance-II (CAP-II). Conducted at the Combined Military Hospital in Bangladesh, the study involved 10 children with bilateral cochlear implants. The results revealed commendable scores in speech understanding, spatial hearing, and qualities of hearing, underscoring the effectiveness of cochlear implant interventions. Deeply examining the implications is the topic of discussion of these findings, emphasizing the positive impact of early implantation and the adaptability of assessment tools in diverse cultural contexts.