Initial experience with the cochlear implant in children.

The decision to implant cochlear prostheses in children came after positive findings with deaf adults and the belief that the benefits of receiving sound far outweigh the potential risks involved. As of December 1981, 12 profoundly deaf children have received the single-electrode cochlear implant. Their ages range from 3.5 to 17 years. Test results are consistent with those of adults. Mean thresholds across the frequency range fall between 59-64 dB SPL. With the implant, these children can perform specific timing and intensity differentiations which could not be done with hearing aids. Their voices are quieter and more modulated, and the children are not quite as noisy with objects in the environment (eg, do not slam doors any more). This preliminary data demonstrates that implanting subjects under the age of 18 years is feasible.