Summary
This study reviewed the charts of children who received a cochlear implant
and had a common genetic cause of hearing loss, GJB2 mutation or connexin
mutation. Although other studies at the time indicated children with this cause
of hearing loss traditionally do well with a cochlear implant, our study found
44% of these children to have a developmental problem which could impact their
progress with the implant, such as specific learning disabilities, attention
deficit disorder, motor delays, and global developmental delays.
Wiley, S, Choo, D, Meinzen-Derr, J, Hilbert, L, Greinwald. GJB2 mutations and additional disabilities in a pediatric cochlear implant
population. J. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. Volume 70 493-500.
2006.