Cochlear implants, coupled with rehabilitation, can help young children to acquire speech, language and social skills.
Receiving a cochlear implant early in a child's life provides exposure to sounds that can be helpful during the critical period when children learn speech and language skills.
A cochlear implant is very different from a hearing aid. Hearing aids amplify sounds so they may be detected by damaged ears. Cochlear implants bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
For children with severe-to-profound hearing loss, cochlear implants can make a significant difference in their quality of life.
While the decision to use cochlear implants can be a personal one, there are many reasons why the devices can benefit children. Being able to hear sounds in their environment helps keep children safe and they can more easily mainstream with their peers. Not all children, however, are candidates for cochlear implants.
For children with severe-to-profound hearing loss, cochlear implants can make a significant difference in their quality of life. However, there are certain criteria for the use of cochlear implants in children.
Bellow are the Criteria for Cochlear Implants in Children
Criteria for paediatric cochlear implantation include:
