Cochlear implantation is beneficial for children with deafness and developmental delays, according to a study published in Pediatrics. John S. Oghalai, MD, and colleagues followed young children with deafness longitudinally for an average of 2 years. Children were included from three cohorts: 138 in cohort 1 with normal cognition and adaptive behavior who underwent cochlear implantation; 37 in cohort 2 with low cognition and low adaptive behavior who underwent cochlear implantation; and 29 in cohort 3 with low cognition and low adaptive behavior who received hearing aids. Children in cohort 1 showed more rapid gains in cognitive skills, adaptive function, language, and auditory skills compared with cohort 2, whereas slower gains were seen for children in cohort 3 versus cohort 2. Greater increases in stress were seen in the parentchild system in cohort 3. “These data support the value of cochlear implantation in children with multiple disabilities/developmental delays and argue against insurance plans requiring that certain developmental milestones be met prior to authorization,” the authors wrote.
