Abstract
To determine the factors affecting speech and auditory outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in pre-lingual deaf children. Cross-sectional study was performed on 40 pre-lingual deaf children who underwent CI at our institution at < 6 years of age. Their speech and auditory outcomes were evaluated using Speech Intelligibility Rating Scale (SIRS) and Category of Auditory Performance (CAP). Further, the factors affecting the speech and auditory outcomes were analysed. Mean age at the time of CI was 3.5 years (P = 0.01). Post-operative speech and auditory rehabilitation therapy was received by 34 patients (P < 0.01). Implant compliance was seen in 38 patients (P = 0.01). Strong family support was received by 39 patients. Age at the time of CI, post-operative speech and auditory rehabilitation therapy, implant compliance and family support play a vital role in determining the outcome of the surgery.