Cochlear Implantation in Children with Auditory Neuropathy: Meta-Analysis

Background: Auditory neuropathy (AN) is a nosological entity of unknown etiology, which is associated with fluctuations in rates of speech discrimination. Its diagnosis is based on presence of otoacoustic emissions and lack of, or abnormal, brainstem auditory evoked potential. With respect to treatment, we have variable results in the literature about development of speech perception and skills, in children with AN and cochlear implant (CI) rehabilitation.Objectives: Comparatively assessing results recorded for the development of auditory and speech skills in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), who were subjected to cochlear implantation, in comparison to results recorded for children with sensorineural hearing loss associated with other causes was the objective of this study. Method: A systematic literature review with meta-analysis was performed, with studies published from 1975 to 2023.Results: Nineteen studies were included in the systematic review, and eight were selected for the meta-analysis, which showed there was no evidence allowing the conclusion that the two groups were different from each other about results in speech performance after 1 year of CI placement.Conclusion: Therefore, this study shows that CI provides the comparable benefit to children with ANSD in comparison to children with neurosensory hearing loss associated with other causes in their speech development.