| Abstract [eng] |
The data of 122 pediatric cochlear implant users was analysed in this multicenter, interdisciplinary, cross-sectional study. The aim of the study was to assess the results of pediatric cochlear implantation and determine their prognostic factors. The etiological profile of hearing loss amongst pediatric cochlear implant users was identified after genetic testing, detection of CMV DNA in dried blood spots and analysis of perinatal risk factors. The main etiological factor in the present study was the non-syndromic hearing loss. The prevalence of inner ear malformations in the group of pediatric CI users was established after the analysis of temporal bone CT images. The present study also evaluated speech perception, and speech and language development outcomes after pediatric CI. Demographic, audiologic, surgical, implant-associated, etiological, radiological, family, rehabilitation and education-related factors were analysed in order to find the association with postoperative results. An analysis of prognostic factors revealed that results of speech perception and language development of pediatric CI users are mostly associated with family, education and rehabilitation-related factors. A multivariate regression analysis proved that the age at implantation, postoperative CI-aided thresholds and the diameter of the bony cochlear nerve canal are the independent prognostic factors of speech perception after pediatric CI. Results of speech and language development depend on parents’ engagement in child’s learning process and accessibility of speech and language therapy. |
