Comparison Of Evaluation Criteria Of Rehabilitation Effects In Children After Cochlear Implantation And The Impact Of Age And Gender On Evaluation Criteria

Objective: The aim of the current study was to compare four evaluation criteria of rehabilitation effects in children after cochlear implantation (CI), exploring influencing factors of these evaluation criteria. Methods: A total of 100 children with Freedom cochlear implants were enrolled and randomized into four groups (25 cases in each group), according to different evaluation criteria. Groups included: 1) Group A, for standard testing program and vocabulary tables for assessment of hearing, language, and learning abilities for hearing-impaired children; 2) Group B, for modified Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP-II) rating scale; 3) Group C, for the Parent Version of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ-P); and 4) Group D, for Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR). Evaluation levels or scores of the four evaluation criteria before and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after CI were recorded. Pre- and post-operative auditory and speech and learning abilities of the children were compared. Results: Evaluation levels or scores of the four evaluation criteria at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after CI were significantly higher than those before Cl. Differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Levels or scores of the four criteria gradually increased with the extension of rehabilitation times. Younger ages led to faster increases in levels and scores of SIR. Levels and scores of CAP-II and SIR, regardless of gender, increased significantly after Cl. Regarding CAP-II, gradual increases in the speed of improvement were shown from 1 to 12 months after Cl. A slowdown was shown from 12 to 24 months. For SIR, gradual increases in the speed of improvement were presented from 1 to 18 months after Cl. A slowdown was shown from 18 to 24 months. There were no significant gender differences between CAP and SIR. Levels and scores of SSQ-P and SIR increased gradually with the extension of rehabilitation times. The fastest increase in speed of improvement was from 3 to 18 months after Cl. Slowdown was after 18 months. Moreover, younger ages led to a faster speed of improvement in hearing. Conclusion: Postoperative auditory performances, speech behaviors, and verbal intelligibility levels of children patients after CI were improved. No significant gender differences were shown, with younger ages leading to faster hearing recovery times.