Identification of pure-tone audiologic thresholds for pediatric cochlear implaint candidacy : a systematic review

de Kleijn, Jasper L.; van Kalmthout, Ludwike W. M.; van der Vossen, Martijn J. B.; Vonck, Bernard M. D.; Topsakal, Vedat; Bruijnzeel, Hanneke

doi:10.1001/JAMAOTO.2018.0652

Title

Identification of pure-tone audiologic thresholds for pediatric cochlear implaint candidacy : a systematic review

Author

de Kleijn, Jasper L.

van Kalmthout, Ludwike W. M.

van der Vossen, Martijn J. B.

Vonck, Bernard M. D.

Topsakal, Vedat

Bruijnzeel, Hanneke

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Although current guidelines recommend cochlear implantation only for children with profound hearing impairment (HI) (>90 decibel [dB] hearing level [HL]), studies show that children with severe hearing impairment (>70-90 dB HL) could also benefit from cochlear implantation. OBJECTIVE. To perform a systematic review to identify audiologic thresholds (in dB HL) that could serve as an audiologic candidacy criterion for pediatric cochlear implantation using 4 domains of speech and language development as independent outcome measures (speech production, speech perception, receptive language, and auditory performance). EVIDENCE REVIEW PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to June 28, 2017, to identify studies comparing speech and language development between children who were profoundly deaf using cochlear implants and children with severe hearing loss using hearing aids, because no studies are available directly comparing children with severe HI in both groups. If cochlear implant users with profound HI score better on speech and language tests than those with severe HI who use hearing aids, this outcome could support adjusting cochlear implantation candidacy criteria to lower audiologic thresholds. Literature search, screening, and article selection were performed using a predefined strategy. Article screening was executed independently by 4 authors in 2 pairs; consensus on article inclusion was reached by discussion between these 4 authors. This study is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. FINDINGS Title and abstract screening of 2822 articles resulted in select on of 130 articles for full-text review. Twenty-one studies were selected for critical appraisal, resulting in selection of 10 articles for data extraction. Two studies formulated audiologic thresholds On dB HLs) at which children could qualify for cochlear implantation: (1) at 4-frequency pure-tone average (PTA) thresholds of 80 dB HL or greater based on speech perception and auditory performance subtests and (2) at PTA thresholds of 88 and 96 dB HL based on a speech perception subtest. In 8 of the 18 outcome measures, children with profound HI using cochlear implants performed similarly to children with severe HI using hearing aids. Better performance of cochlear implant users was shown with a picture-naming test and a speech perception in noise test. Owing to large heterogeneity in study population and selected tests, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Studies indicate that lower audiologic thresholds (>= 80 dB HL) than are advised in current national and manufacturer guidelines would be appropriate as audiologic candidacy criteria for pediatric cochlear implantation.

Language

English

Source (journal)

JAMA otolaryngology, head and neck surgery / American Medical Association; American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. - Chicago, Ill., 2013, currens

Publication

Chicago : Amer medical assoc , 2018

ISSN

2168-6181 [print]

2168-619X [online]

DOI

10.1001/JAMAOTO.2018.0652

Volume/pages

144 :7 (2018) , p. 630-638

ISI

000439291000017

Pubmed ID