Cochlear implants: Referral, selection and rehabilitation

SummaryProfound bilateral hearing loss is an uncommon but significant cause of morbidity in the paediatric community. Without adequate treatment, children fail to develop the ability to develop linguistic and communicative skills, with a significant impact on education, socio-emotional development and future professional prospects. Cochlear implants have dramatically changed the prospects for profoundly deaf children. This article reviews cochlear implantation in respect to candidate selection, the procedure, its complications and rehabilitation.