Expanding Candidacy for Pediatric Cochlear Implants with Lisa Park

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.**** Guest: Lisa Park, AuD, CCC-A Dr. Park reviews the progression of pediatric cochlear implant candidacy, including research that has led to the modern expansion of indications. She discusses current candidacy guidelines, the challenges of insurance coverage, and how families can be counseled through the cochlear implantation process.

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PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·3w ago

Cochlear implants are associated with reduced cognitive decline risk: A 20-year cohort study

This large, long-term cohort study strengthens the case for cochlear implantation as a potential intervention against cognitive decline in adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss, warranting consideration in counseling eligible candidates — though causality is not yet...

PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·2mo ago

Pediatric Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Auditory Neuropathy, Cochlear Nerve Deficiency, and Sensorineural Hearing Loss: An 8-Year Longitudinal Study

Audiologists and implant teams should counsel families that children with cochlear nerve deficiency have significantly poorer long-term cochlear implant outcomes than those with auditory neuropathy or sensorineural hearing loss; pre-implant MRI/CT nerve assessment is critical...

PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·3w ago

The Role of Anatomy-Based Fitting in Bimodal Rehabilitation: Choosing Electrode Arrays Based on Cochlear Length

Anatomy-based electrode selection guided by cochlear length in bimodal users is a clinically relevant approach that audiologists and cochlear implant teams should consider integrating into pre-surgical planning protocols.

PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·9d ago

The effect of cochlear implantation in older adults: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

The umbrella review provides the highest-level evidence synthesis currently available on CI outcomes in older adults; audiologists and ENT teams should use these findings to strengthen evidence-based counseling on psychosocial and cognitive benefits for older CI candidates.

PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·7w ago

Language Learning Activities in Educational Settings Incrementally Predict Language Ability Beyond Daily Conversation in Preschoolers with Cochlear Implants: A Comparative Study with Normal-Hearing Peers

Audiologists and early intervention teams should actively advocate for structured language-learning activities in educational settings for cochlear implant users, as these predict language outcomes above and beyond home conversation alone.

PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·2mo ago

Speech Perception Development From Childhood to Adulthood Following Pediatric Cochlear Implantation: A 30-year Longitudinal Study

Long-term follow-up of pediatric cochlear implant recipients shows meaningful variability in speech perception trajectories into adulthood, reinforcing the need for lifelong audiological monitoring rather than discharge at a fixed age.

PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·2mo ago

Age-Independent Bilateral Advantage in Quiet Speech Recognition: A Matched Longitudinal Analysis of Adult Cochlear Implant Users

The bilateral cochlear implant advantage for quiet speech recognition is age-independent in adults, supporting consideration of bilateral implantation across the adult age spectrum rather than restricting it to younger patients.

PubMed·Journal article·Cochlear implants·4d ago

Artificial Intelligence Reading of Postoperative Cochlear Implant X-Rays

AI-assisted postoperative cochlear implant X-ray reading is promising for reducing inter-reader variability, but clinical adoption should await validation in prospective multicentre studies before replacing or formally supplementing standard radiologist review.