ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of cochlear implant age and duration of the intervention (auditory rehabilitation post-cochlear implantation) on ESRT in children with cochlear implants. METHODS: A total of 90 pre-lingual cochlear implant users were included. For the measurement of ESRTs the recipient's processor was connected to the programming pod and electrode numbers 22, 11 and 3 (apical, middle and basal), respectively, were activated to give stimulation sequentially and elicit deflection as a response. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the measured T, C and ESRT levels with respect to the duration of the intervention (auditory rehabilitation post-cochlear implantation) and cochlear implant age obtained at p < 0.05*, 0.01**. DISCUSSION: The differences in the T, C and ESRT levels after continued device usage and after attending auditory rehabilitation sessions post-cochlear implantation are subjected to optimal benefit from implantation during the critical period. CONCLUSION: The differences in T, C and ESRT levels can be utilised clinically to study the importance of duration of cochlear implant device usage and the importance of auditory rehabilitation post-cochlear implantation in children with cochlear implantation.
