Early auditory prosthesis effect on the results of hearing perception after cochlear implantation

Early auditory prosthesis effect on the results of hearing perception after cochlear implantation

E.V. Khitrova, E.A. Levina, S.V. Levin, L.V. Sarytsina, S.B. Sugarova, I.V. Koroleva, E.E. Vyazemskaya 

St. Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech, St. Petersburg 

Background: the auditory system development largely depends on adequate auditory exposure during the sensitive period. Auditory deprivation in the sensitive period negatively affects many aspects of cerebral cortex maturation, impedes hearing perception, psychological and somatic development of the child, and also leads to the delayed speech development. Thus, early aural rehabilitation is necessary for the central auditory structure development.

Aim: to evaluate the auditory prosthesis effect in young children on the auditory integration process after cochlear implantation.

Patients and Methods: the study included 60 patients who underwent the first course of aural rehabilitation after cochlear implantation on the basis of the St. Petersburg Research Institute of Ear, Throat, Nose and Speech in the period from 2022 to 2023. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 27 children of the group 1 had never used hearing aids before cochlear implantation; 33 children of the group 2 had used hearing aids for more than 3 months. The rehabilitation effect was assessed on the categorical auditory performance (CAP) scale in all children.

Results: the average level of hearing perception on the CAP scale among patients of group 2 was 3.67, and in group 1 — 3.11. A high level of hearing perception (level 3–4) after connecting the cochlear implant speech processor was registered in 44% of patients in group 1 and 70% in group 2. A low level of auditory integration (level 0–1) after connecting the cochlear implant speech processor was registered in 30% of patients in group 1 and 18% in group 2.

Conclusions: among patients using hearing aids before cochlear implantation, the levels of auditory integration assessed on the CAP scale were significantly higher than in the group who did not use them.

Keywords: cochlear implantation, auditory prosthesis, aural rehabilitation, hearing perception, sensitive period, central auditory structures.

For citation: Khitrova E.V., Levina E.A., Levin S.V., Sarytsina L.V., Sugarova S.B., Koroleva I.V., Vyazemskaya E.E. Early auditory prosthesis effect on the results of hearing perception after cochlear implantation. RMJ. 2024;1:38–40.