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Barriers to the early cochlear implantation of deaf children
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Barriers to the early cochlear implantation of deaf children

Elizabeth B Lester, Jeffrey D Dawson, Bruce J Gantz and Marlan R Hansen
Otology & neurotology, Vol.32(3), pp.406-412
04/2011
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3182040c22
PMCID: PMC3136574
PMID: 21221048

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Abstract

Identify social and health care system factors that prevent congenitally deaf children from receiving cochlear implants (CIs) in a timely fashion. Retrospective chart review and parental interviews. University medical center hospital in a state with mandatory newborn hearing screening (NBHS). Fifty-nine congenitally deaf children who received CIs between January 1, 2002, and May 1, 2009. Demographic and health care details were collected from the 59 patients. Age at implantation. Thirty-four patients received implants at or before age 2 years (average age at implant surgery, 14 mo), and 25 patients received implants after age 2 years (average age, 65 mo). The presence of NBHS (p<0.001) and type of health insurance (p=0.05) the child had at the time of CI surgery were significant predictors of age at implantation. The following factors were associated with increased risk of delayed implantation: no NBHS (risk ratio [RR]=2.63), NBHS not identifying hearing loss (RR=1.63), Medicaid insurance alone (RR=1.21) or in combination with private insurance (RR=1.79), family physician as primary care provider (RR=1.50), and audiologist (RR = 1.30) or otolaryngologist (RR=1.31) as secondary care providers (versus implant center, RR=0.23). The main reasons for delay in CI surgery after age 2 years also were identified and include slow referrals for care (n=8) and parental delays (n=5). The data suggest placing special focus on children with associated risk factors, ensuring NBHS, and parent and primary care provider education on the importance of early intervention and referral to an implant center would likely limit delays in children receiving CIs.
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - congenital Humans Risk Factors Child, Preschool Infant Male Treatment Outcome Delayed Diagnosis Neonatal Screening Cochlear Implantation Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - diagnosis Female Interviews as Topic Retrospective Studies Cochlear Implants Child Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - surgery Infant, Newborn Insurance, Health

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