Early Auditory Stimulation, Not Device Type: Comparable Cortical Maturation in Children Using Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids

: The present study aimed to compare cortical auditory maturation, as reflected by P1 latency of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs), in children with congenital severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss rehabilitated with unilateral cochlear implants (CIs) or bilateral conventional hearing aids (HAs).

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Prioritise early auditory stimulation regardless of device type — timing of intervention appears more important than the choice between cochlear implant and hearing aid for cortical auditory maturation.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

This challenges device-centric thinking in paediatric hearing care and strengthens the evidence base for early intervention programmes across both CI and HA pathways.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Early timing of auditory stimulation, not device type, drives cortical auditory maturation in children with congenital severe-to-profound hearing loss.
02Outcome measure was P1 latency of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs), an objective marker of auditory brain development.
03Findings apply to children using either cochlear implants or conventional hearing aids.
04Results support early identification and fitting as the primary clinical priority.
05Comparative design strengthens internal validity relative to single-device observational studies.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Cortical auditory maturation (P1 latency) is comparable in children with cochlear implants and hearing aids when stimulation timing is equivalent.

studysupported

Early auditory stimulation timing is more important than device type for cortical maturation outcomes.

studysupported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42194183
DOI: 10.3390/children13050657.
Journal: Children
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 2b
Population: Children with congenital severe-to-profound hearing loss using cochlear implants or hearing aids
Intervention: Cochlear implant use with early auditory stimulation
Comparator: Hearing aid use with equivalent early auditory stimulation

Primary outcomes

P1 latency of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) as a marker of cortical auditory maturation

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