Cochlear Implantation
Criteria for the use of these devices are evolving as their clinical use becomes more widespread. Candidacy is evolving for asymmetric, single sided deafness, auditory neuropathy, and hearing preservation. The child's medical, psychological, and educational status is always taken into consideration prior to cochlear implantation.
Cochlear implants have several internal and external components including an electrode array implanted into the cochlea, a receiver and magnet set into the bone behind the ear, a transmitter coil and a microphone worn behind the ear, and a speech processor carried in a pocket or fanny pack. The microphone receives speech and an electrical signal is sent to the speech processor through a connecting cable. The speech processor converts the electrical signal into a code that has been optimized for speech recognition. This code is then sent back over the cable to the headpiece and transmitted via radio waves to the implanted receiver. The code is then passed to the electrode array that stimulates the afferent auditory neurons within the cochlea.
Children with cochlear implants are at greater risk for bacterial meningitis. This risk can be higher with those with cochleovestibular dysplasias. [Sennaroglu: 2010] Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the major cause of bacterial meningitis in people with cochlear implants. With the widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar® or "PCV13") and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax® 23 or "PPSV23"), the incidence has decreased dramatically. [Kahue: 2014] To reduce the risk of bacterial meningitis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following vaccinations for individuals with cochlear implants. [Centers: 2018] Please look at the CDC site for recommendations and additional information on vaccination.
- 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) (Prevnar 13®)
- 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23) (Pneumovax®)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (Hib) (ActHIB®, Hiberix®, PedvaxHIB®, and Pentacel®)
- Meningococcal conjugate (Menactra® and Menveo®)
- Serogroup B meningococcal (Bexsero® and Trumenba®)
Resources
Information & Support
For Professionals
Vaccines to Prevent Meningitis in Persons with Cochlear Implants (CDC)
Pneumococcal recommendations by age and vaccination history; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cochlear Implants (FDA)
Information about cochlear implant benefits and risks, recalls, what happens before, during, and after surgery, where to
report problems, and what educators of implant users need to know;U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Services for Patients & Families in Idaho (ID)
| Service Categories | # of providers* in: | ID | NW | Other states (6) (show) | | MT | NM | NV | OH | RI | UT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audiology | 3 | 49 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 26 | 28 | ||||
| Pediatric Otolaryngology | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 9 | ||||
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.
Studies
Cochlear Implants and Children (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Studies looking at better understanding, diagnosing, and treating this condition; from the National Library of Medicine.
Helpful Articles
Zwolan TA, Zimmerman-Phillips S, Ashbaugh CJ, Hieber SJ, Kileny PR, Telian SA.
Cochlear implantation of children with minimal open-set speech recognition skills.
Ear Hear.
1997;18(3):240-51.
PubMed abstract
Waltzman SB, Cohen NL.
Cochlear implantation in children younger than 2 years old.
Am J Otol.
1998;19(2):158-62.
PubMed abstract
Rauschecker JP, Shannon RV.
Sending sound to the brain.
Science.
2002;295(5557):1025-9.
PubMed abstract
Bishop CE, Eby TL.
The current status of audiologic rehabilitation for profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
Laryngoscope.
2010;120(3):552-6.
PubMed abstract
Belzner KA, Seal BC.
Children with cochlear implants: a review of demographics and communication outcomes.
Am Ann Deaf.
2009;154(3):311-33.
PubMed abstract
Bruijnzeel H, Ziylan F, Stegeman I, Topsakal V, Grolman W.
A Systematic Review to Define the Speech and Language Benefit of Early (<12 Months) Pediatric Cochlear Implantation.
Audiol Neurootol.
2016;21(2):113-26.
PubMed abstract
Sennaroglu L.
Cochlear implantation in inner ear malformations--a review article.
Cochlear Implants Int.
2010;11(1):4-41.
PubMed abstract
Page Bibliography
Bruijnzeel H, Ziylan F, Stegeman I, Topsakal V, Grolman W.
A Systematic Review to Define the Speech and Language Benefit of Early (<12 Months) Pediatric Cochlear Implantation.
Audiol Neurootol.
2016;21(2):113-26.
PubMed abstract
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Use of Vaccines to Prevent Meningitis in Persons with Cochlear Implants.
Department of Health and Human Services; (2018)
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/mening/hcp/dis-cochlear-gen.html. Accessed on 1/15/2019.
Kahue CN, Sweeney AD, Carlson ML, Haynes DS.
Vaccination recommendations and risk of meningitis following cochlear implantation.
Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.
2014;22(5):359-66.
PubMed abstract
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Cochlear Implants.
National Institutes of Health; (2018)
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/cochlear-implants. Accessed on 1/15/2019.
Sennaroglu L.
Cochlear implantation in inner ear malformations--a review article.
Cochlear Implants Int.
2010;11(1):4-41.
PubMed abstract