The objective of this study was to measure longitudinally the progress in the auditory performance and speech intelligibility of young deaf children implanted under the age of 18 months in comparison to those implanted after 18 months and to create normative data on these children implanted under 18 months. : This is a retrospective longitudinal study based on data available at our centre 'KIDS-Hasselt-Belgium'. 52 deaf children who received a cochlear implant under the age of 18 months. LiP (Listening Progress profile) and CAP (Categories of Auditory Performance) were administered to measure auditory perception and SIR (Speech Intelligibility Rating) was used to measure speech intelligibility. Over a 4 year period, six assessments were made to monitor the auditory and speech development of the children: a pre-test before implantation and five post-tests at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after implantation. Deaf children receiving cochlear implants before the age of 18 months show more rapid progress in auditory performance and speech intelligibility in comparison to children implanted at an older age. Their auditory performance and speech intelligibility also reach a higher level 4 years after implantation compared with children implanted later in life. This study shows encouraging results in the cochlear implantation of children under the age of 18 months. As demonstrated, using the LiP, CAP and SIR measures, children who receive a cochlear implant before the age of 18 months show, that at 3 to 4 years after implantation, significantly greater improvement is made in auditory perception and speech intelligibility than their later implanted peers, although there is a considerable variety in the outcomes.

Objective: To collect figures on the numbers of children and adults receiving cochlear implants across Europe, compare the figures for 2016 with those for 2010, and identify any trends. Materials and methods: In 2018 EURO-CIU invited their 23 member countries to conduct a survey collecting data on the number of CI recipients in 2016 and 2017. Data were received from 15 countries, representing more than 100 000 CI recipients in Europe. Results: For paediatric CI, there was an increase in nearly all European countries (except Denmark, the UK and Luxembourg) between 2010 and 2016. We found an annual figure of one CI per 1000 newborns common in most countries where reimbursement of paediatric CI’s is available. Conversely the adult data reveals no increase between 2010 and 2016 and the data is less homogeneous than the paediatric data with huge differences across countries. Conclusion: There is little agreement on data on numbers of CI across Europe, which makes it difficult to plan public health policy, funding or services. In all European countries included in this study (except Germany) there needs to be work on raising more awareness of adult hearing loss and adult cochlear implantation to improve access.

Belgium, and especially the northern region called Flanders, has been a center of expertise in cochlear implants and early hearing screening for many years. Some of their surgeons and engineers were pioneers in the development of cochlear implants and in 1998 Flanders was the first region in Europe to implement a universal hearing screening program for all neonates. The Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance has reimbursed cochlear implants in children and adults since 1994 and bilateral implantation in children under the age of 12 years since February 2010. These deaf children, screened and implanted early, achieve higher auditory, speech and language outcomes and increasing numbers are going to regular schools using fewer interpreters. In 2010, 93% of severe-to-profound deaf preschool children in Flanders had received cochlear implants and 25% had bilateral implants. Although on average twice as many adults as children are implanted a year in Belgium, we have less research data available from this adult population. Also very little is published about the growth curves and minimal rehabilitation requirements (intensity, duration etc.) after implantation for both children and adults. So, there still remain many challenges for the future.

Background: Cochlear implantation is the major beneficial treatment of bilateral profound deafness in children and adults, but there are big differences in utilisation between European countries. Material and Method: Statistical data on the number of implanted persons are obtained each year...