Evaluation of remote check in children with cochlear implants

Objective

This study evaluates the feasibility of reducing in-person appointments by utilizing Remote Check (RC) in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients and investigates the most suitable age range for implementing RC.

Methods

Fifty-eight pediatric CI recipients, aged 1–17 years, were evaluated using a web-based RC application by audiologists. Most (84.5 %) used verbal communication. Inclusion criteria required stable map status, caregiver tech proficiency, and a compatible phone.

Results

Remote assessments were beneficial, with 89.7 % of participants successfully completing RC. Aided threshold tests (ATT) were completed in 73.2 % of participants, while speech-in-noise tests (Digit Triplet Test, DTT) were completed in 47.3 %. Children as young as 4 successfully completed ATT, while a minimum age of 7 was required for DTT. A significant relationship between age and test success was demonstrated. Verbally communicative children had higher completion success rates. Parental education was significantly correlated with DTT success, with higher success rates in children whose parents had undergraduate degrees. With RC use, 69 % of children did not need clinic visits, emphasizing the need for personalized and remote support for optimal cochlear implant performance. In-person appointments were primarily required due to concerns about the duration of device usage.

Conclusion

The study confirms the effectiveness and feasibility of using RC in pediatric CI users, even as young as one year old with stable aided hearing. The findings advocate for the integration of RC into routine follow-up protocols, offering a more accessible option for enhanced patient care.