Cochlear implantation in children younger than 12 months of age

For decades there has been a trend to complete cochlear implantation in younger deaf individuals. This has led to the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved minimum age of 12 months. Universal infant hearing screening combined with better assessment techniques has resulted in much earlier diagnosis of deafness in infants, and as a consequence, most congenitally deaf children have completed cochlear implant evaluation before the age of 6 months. Because of these issues, there are a growing number of infants who are undergoing cochlear implantation between the ages of 6 and 12 months of age. This article reviews important technical details that should be considered when an infant undergoes cochlear implantation.