Contemporary surgical issues in paediatric cochlear implantation

Abstract

Objective: To review the contemporary surgical issues in paediatric cochlear implantation (CI) based on published evidence. Design: Narrative literature review. Results: Surgical challenges in paediatric CI are discussed, with respect to post meningitic labyrinthitis ossificans; cochlear malformation; cochlear implantation in infants; auditory neuropathy and cochlear nerve deficiency; bilateral cochlear implantation; hearing preservation; otitis media; and device failure. Conclusion: Early CI is recommended if bacterial meningitis causes profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). CI in cochleovestibular malformation requires pre-operative imaging to plan surgical technique, choice of electr..