Effects of Age at Implantation on Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Short Durations of Single-Sided Deafness

Children with single-sided deafness (SSD) show reduced language and academic development and report hearing challenges. We aim to improve outcomes in children with SSD by providing bilateral hearing through cochlear implantation of the deaf ear with minimal delay. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 57 children with SSD provided with cochlear implant (CI) between May 13, 2013, and June 25, 2021. SETTING: Tertiary children’s hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Children with early onset (n = 40) or later onset of SSD (n = 17) received CIs at ages 2.47 ± 1.58 years (early onset group) and 11.67 ± 3.91 years (late onset group) (mean ± SD). Duration of unilateral deafness was limited (mean ± SD = 1.93 ± 1.56 yr). INTERVENTION: Cochlear implantation of the deaf ear. MAIN OUTCOMES/MEASURES: Evaluations of device use (data logging) and hearing (speech perception, effects of spatial release from masking on speech detection, localization of stationary and moving sound, self-reported hearing questionnaires). RESULTS: Results indicated that daily device use is variable (mean ± SD = 5.60 ± 2.97, range = 0.0–14.7 h/d) with particular challenges during extended COVID-19 lockdowns, including school closures (daily use reduced by mean 1.73 h). Speech perception with the CI alone improved (mean ± SD = 65.7 ± 26.4 RAU) but, in the late onset group, remained poorer than in the normal hearing ear. Measures of spatial release from masking also showed asymmetric hearing in the late onset group (t(13) = 5.14, p = 0.001). Localization of both stationary and moving sound was poor (mean ± SD error = 34.6° ± 16.7°) but slightly improved on the deaf side with CI use (F(1,36) = 3.95, p = 0.05). Decreased sound localization significantly correlated with poorer self-reported hearing. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Benefits of CI in children with limited durations of SSD may be more restricted for older children/adolescents. Spatial hearing challenges remain. Efforts to increase CI acceptance and consistent use are needed.