Learning disability in children with postmeningitic cochlear implants
J. E. Isaacson, M. S. Hasenstab, D. L. Wohl and G. H. Williams
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of learning disability on measures of
auditory perception, receptive language development, and sequential
organization in children with postmeningitic cochlear implants. DESIGN:
Retrospective study. Follow-up ranged from 12 months to 7 years. SETTING:
Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Ten pediatric patients with cochlear
implants, 5 with documented learning disability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:
Pediatric cochlear implant test battery performance. RESULTS: Children with
learning disability showed slower progress, more inconsistencies, and lower
test scores than their partners without learning disability. CONCLUSION:
Learning disability is not a contraindication to cochlear implantation, but
preoperative counseling must be available to families and support personnel
about preoperative achievements and expectation for these children.
