What is the ideal age for a deaf child to receive a cochlear implant?
There is no single ideal age for implantation in children. It depends on each family, each child, and the individual factors affecting each child. The best age for implantation is still being debated, but research has clearly indicated that children who receive cochlear implants early have the best results. In 2002 the FDA lowered the age for inclusion in pediatric clinical trials to 12 months. Many centers will implant children as early as 6 months if there is certainty as to the audiologic indications. In general, because it is felt that there is a window of opportunity for learning the skills necessary for spoken language, the earlier the implant the better. Speech and language development occurs, for the most part, by age six. Progress does not occur as quickly or as easily after that age. The decision about whether to implant an older child is made individually. Factors to consider include use of hearing aids and auditory skills. If an older child has not worn hearing aids, benefi
