Development of Aided Long-Latency Response (ALLR) in Children With Cochlear Implant Within 18 Months of Implantation

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the development of aided long-latency response (ALLR) in children with cochlear implants (CI) within 18 months of implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ALLR was recorded in 33 children with CI who had an experience of less than 18 months with the implant. All the participants were in the age range of 3-7 years and were divided into 3 groups based on implant age, as 0-6 months, 6.1-12 months, and 12.1-18 months. Latency of the P1 component was recorded. RESULTS: P1 latency was observed to be 142.105 ms at 0-6 months of implant age, 135.141 ms at 6.1-12 months of implant age, and 122.952 ms. at 12.1-18 months of implantation. CI recipients require 1 year of experience in order to obtain a significant difference in the P1 latency value. It was also found that gender does not influence P1 latency. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest that with adequate stimulation, there is a gradual decrease in P1 latency, which indicates maturation of the central auditory structures. It was also found that the gender does not influence P1 latency.