Development of Auditory and Speech Language Performance Following Bimodal Cochlear Implantation in a Pre-lingual Late Implantee: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective - To describe the performance in terms of auditory and speech-language development in a late implanted patient with bimodal cochlear implantation.
Study Design - Prospective Case study.
Subject – A girl with congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with speech and language delay having left ear profound SNHL and right ear severe to profound SNHL.
Intervention – Unilateral cochlear implant with neubio BOLD CI system done at the age of 15 years following auditory verbal therapy.
Main Outcome Measures – “Meaningful auditory integration scale (MAIS)”, “Revised categories of auditory performance (Revised CAP)”, “Speech intelligibility rating (SIR)”, “Child using hearing devices QOL (cuHDQOL)”, 3D- language acquisition test (3D- LAT), “Parent evaluation aural/oral performance of children (PEACH)” and “Teacher evaluation aural/oral performance of children (TEACH)” is used to assess the outcomes of the cochlear implantation.
Results – “Revised CAP,” “SIR,” “MAIS,” “cuHDQOL,” “3D-LAT”, “PEACH,” and “TEACH” scores showed improvement in the implanted teenager over time.
Conclusion - The findings represent the evidence for better outcomes of late cochlear implanted patients with bimodal stimulation. It may also provide convincing results about the benefits with the use of Neubio BOLD Cochlear Implant system with a contralateral hearing aid.