Significant regional differences in Denmark in outcome after cochlear implants in children.

INTRODUCTION The objectives of the present study were to study regional differences in outcome for a paediatric cochlear implant (CI) population after the introduction of universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) and bilateral implantation in Denmark. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data relate to 94 subjects. A test battery consisting of eight different tests/assessments was performed in order to report the level of audition, speech, language and self-esteem. For data analyses of any associations between the regions, Fisher's exact test was used. Potential rater variability within either of the centres was assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS The levels of audition were comparable between the group from West Denmark (West) and the group from East Denmark (East). In contrast, all tests of speech and language revealed a statistically significant difference between East and West. In all tests, West subjects scored significantly lower than East subjects. West children received more hours of speech therapy, more learning support assistance, and more parents used signing. Furthermore, the parents from West were significantly less involved in the auditory rehabilitation of their children than parents from East. CONCLUSION The results were remarkable and call for a thorough evaluation of both the quality and organization of the paediatric CI population with particular concern for the paediatric CI population of West Denmark. FUNDING The Oticon foundation financially supported this study. Trial registration was not relevant as the study is designed as a prospective case series. TRIAL REGISTRATION not relevant.