Auditory perception in pediatric cochlear implant users with cochlear nerve hypoplasia

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess auditory perception and speech intelligibility outcomes in children with cochlear nerve (CN) hypoplasia who received cochlear implants (CIs) using Categories of Auditory Performance II (CAP II) and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scales. Methods: In total, 40 children who received CI and who were aged between 3 and 18 years were included in this study. The study group included 20 children with CN hypoplasia at least one ear, while the control group included 20 children with normal cochleas and cochlear nerve structures. All children in the study and control groups who participated were evaluated using the CAP II and the SIR scale. Demographic data were collected. Results: Significant differences were found between the study and control groups’ CAP II and SIR scores (p < 0.001). It was found that CAP II scores were positively correlated with SIR scores in the study (r = 0.743, p < 0.001) and control (r = 0.601, p < 0.001) groups. In the study group, significant negative correlations were found between SIR scores and age at implantation (r = −0.674, p = 0.004) and between CAP II scores and age at implantation (r = 0.751, p = 0.003). In the control group, a significant negative correlation was found between age at implantation and CAP II scores (r = −0.805, p = 0.001). Similarly, a significant negative correlation was found between age at implantation and SIR scores (r = −0.702, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Even for children with severe inner ear malformation and CN hypoplasia, CI is an effective treatment modality for auditory perception and speech production. However, it should be noted that CN hypoplasia affects auditory performance negatively in children with CI.