Authors' objectives:

The aim of this study was to summarise the available evidence on the safety and efficacy of cochlear implants.

Authors' results and conclusions: The results in children who already have oral-verbal communication skills are favorable six months after implant. In this group of patients, statistically significant differences can be observed with respect to their baseline situation; 50% of the implanted children achieving significant changes in open-ended comprehension tests at 2 years and continue improving two years after implant. In adults who have oral-verbal communication skills, the levels stabilize two years after implant. These implanted patients can understand speech, maintain an interactive conversation (without lip reading) and 50% can even use the telephone. In children who do not have oral-verbal communication skills there is still not definite data, although controls performed along the first five years post-implant show a satisfactory progression. Besides, under the same schooling and rehabilitation conditions, the results achieved by implanted children are significantly better than those who use hearing aids or vibrotactile devices; the differences becoming smaller with children the same age, depending on how early in life the implant was placed and the levels of prior hearing deterioration (the earlier the implant is placed and the less the deterioration there is, the better the results are).

Authors' recommendations: The use of cochlear implants demands a program that would assure proper patient selection, effective surgery, adequate follow-up and rehabilitation of the implanted patient. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to count on a coordinate multidisciplinary team that would be willing to perform the patient all the necessary tests and that have the experience required to perform this complex procedure both in adults who already have oral-verbal communication skills and in children or patients who lack oral-verbal communication skills.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.iecs.org.ar/

Year Published: 2003

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Argentina

Organisation Name: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy

Contact Address: Dr. Emilio Ravignani 2024, Buenos Aires - Argentina, C1414 CABA

Contact Name: info@iecs.org.ar

Contact Email: info@iecs.org.ar

Copyright: Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS)