The effect of cochlear implantation on the improvement of hearing performance in children suffering from profound hereditary and Non-hereditary hearing loss

Introduction: Hearing is one of the dominant senses of humans. In fact, human beings learn the language which is spoken in their environment and, then, develop the capability to speak. Cochlear implantation is introduced worldwide as a method for the treatment of the severe-to-profound sensory-neural hearing loss. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effect of cochlear implantation on the improvement of the auditory performance of the children with profound hereditary as well as non-hereditary hearing loss. Methods: The present follow-up study was conducted on 95 children who had been referred to Fars Cochlear Implantation Center. The patients’ information was obtained from their pre- as well as post-operation profiles. Moreover, their auditory performance scores were measured through the Cap Test in 3 stages of 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation. Besides, the non-parametric tests of Fridman, Willcoxon, and Mann-Withney U were utilized in order to analyze the gathered data. Results: The mean and the median of the auditory performance of the children who had undergone the cochlear implantation showed a significant difference 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation. Moreover, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the independent variable of the type of hearing loss and the auditory performance score. Conclusion: In line with other studies conducted on the issue, the present study also confirmed the improvement of the auditory performance in the children who have undergone the cochlear implantation. In addition, the present study revealed that the type of hearing loss can be helpful in identifying the candidates of the cochlear implantation.