gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: So far there is little known about the hearing outcome of children provided with CI and hearing aid on the contralateral side. Especially information on habits of using either CI or hearing aid or the combination of both in dependence on special hearing conditions is rare. Additionally, there is little information on the real binaural benefit in different conditions (hearing in noise etc.). It is of major interest, at which point of time the advice for a second CI with the option of hearing preservation has more advantages than the hearing aid itself.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. Children 8 to 15 years of age with bilateral or bimodal CI with hearing experience of at least two years were eligible. After approval of the ethics committee, in the database of the University Hospital Essen 44 patients were identified: 14 with bimodal fitting, 30 with bilateral fitting.

Hearing habits, speech perception and quality of life were rated through questionnaires according to scores and averages. KINDL^©, Functioning after Pediatric Cochlear Implant (FAPCI^©), as well as the Würzburg questionnaire were used. Binaural hearing and speech perception was measured through free field audiometry, Oldenburg sentence test for children (OLKISA^©) and Göttingen sentence test^© in 50 and 65dB in quiet and in noise. Data logging detected the time the devices were worn as well as the time the children were exposed to speech.

Results: Both groups had similar results in free field audiometry. The quality of life, assessed in the KINDL did not show significant differences in both groups but interestingly, comparable or even better values than the published non hearing-impaired normative comparison control group.

The bimodal fitted children demonstrated slightly higher yet not significant scores in both the FAPCI and KINDL questionnaires. While in the Würzburg questionnaire the bilateral group reached higher scores and averages, particularly in questions regarding interest in auditory training and situations with direction-changing noise, the bimodal fitted patients’ participation in communication was higher.

There was no significant correlation between the quality of life with respect to bimodal or bilateral supply. Data logging demonstrated similar device usage and speech exposition in both groups.

Discussion: Both types of hearing care have situational advantages. Overall, however, they perform similarly in everyday life. Quality of life was similar to non-hearing-impaired children in this age group.