Improved speech and language development after unilateral cochlear implantation in children with a potentially useable contralateral ear

Objectives: Increasingly, children are considered for a unilateral cochlear implant (CI), even if the contralateral ear falls outside current audiological guidelines, especially if they are not considered to be reaching their educational potential. Here we present the outcomes of CI in children with potentially useable hearing in the contralateral ear.Methods: A retrospective case note review was performed for a total of 57 patients. Primary outcome was speech and language (SaL) development, as measured by the Manchester Speech and Language Development Scale (MSLDS) and SaL age equivalent. Secondary outcomes were auditory perception, perceived parental benefit and compliance; respectively measured by Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP), Brief Assessment of Parental Perception (BAPP) and reported use.Results: SaL development improved after CI with a mean pre-operative MSLDS score of 5.8 to a postoperative score of 8.0 (n = 57) and a mean SaL age equivalent of 14 months in a one-year period (n = 14). F...