Impact of residual hearing on outcomes of cochlear implantation in paediatric population: An Ambispective Cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Cochlear implantation has transformed management of children with severe to profound hearing loss but the influence of residual hearing on outcomes remains debatable. METHODS: This ambispective study analysed 48 prelingually deaf children aged 3-8 years to evaluate auditory, speech and language outcomes following unilateral cochlear implantation. Participants were grouped based on presence of residual hearing and tracked up to 3 years post implantation. RESULTS: Early improvements in auditory and speech perception were significantly higher in candidates with residual hearing but equalised by 12 months. Language outcomes initially favoured RH group with no significant difference beyond 18 months. Owing to gradual development of language, it remained below age-appropriate levels. Parental satisfaction scores were consistently better in RH group, driven by early post-implantation gains. CONCLUSION: Residual hearing positively impacts early outcomes in cochlear implant recipients but influence diminishes over time.