Effect of cochlear implants on cognitive function in children and adolescents with hearing loss: a systematic review protocol.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this review is to evaluate the effect of cochlear implants on cognitive function in pediatric patients with hearing loss.

Introduction: Cognitive impairments have been reported in children with hearing loss. This is supported by the auditory scaffolding hypothesis, which describes sound as the basis for processing sequential information. Cochlear implants are proven to be successful in assisting these patients with language and speech recognition. Therefore, understanding whether such implants may additionally improve cognitive function is important for health care professionals in determining whether a child would benefit from a cochlear implant.

Inclusion criteria: This review will include quantitative studies evaluating cognitive function in pediatric patients (0-18 years) with hearing loss who received unilateral or bilateral cochlear implants. Studies that do not use objective neuropsychological assessments to assess cognitive outcomes will be excluded.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO will be searched for published studies. Google Scholar, LILACS, Livivo, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global will be searched for unpublished and gray literature. ClinicalTrials.gov, the EU Clinical Trials Register, and WHO's ICTRP will also be searched for trials. There will be no date or language limitations. Study selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction will be performed by 2 independent reviewers. If meta-analysis is possible, evidence will be summarized using R, with subgroup analyses providing insight into the effect of age, gender, and underlying conditions on the cognitive impairment. Certainty of the evidence will be assessed using the GRADE approach, and a Summary of Findings will be generated.

Review registration: PROSPERO CRD42024500320.