Cortical auditory evoked potentials (P1 latency) in children with cochlear implants in relation to clinical language tests

Abstract

Objective–To study the correlation between P1 latency and the results of clinical language tests (Reynell III and TROG-2), the latter were used as they are recommended for follow-up assessments of children with cochlear implants (Cis) by the Swedish National Quality Register for children with hearing impairment. Design–A clinical cohort study. Study sample–Cross-sectional and consecutive sampling of 49 children with CIs coming for clinical follow-up assessment from March 2017–December 2019. Results–For all children tested, there was a significant negative correlation (Spearman’s rho= −0.403, p = 0.011) between hearing age and P1 latency. A significant correlation between P1 latency and the Reynell III result (Spearman’s rho = −0.810, p = 0.015) was found. In the TROG-2 group, there was no significant correlation between their P1 latency and their language test results (Spearman’s rho −0.239, p = 0.196). Conclusion–This method seems to be feasible and easily accepted. The study was conducted in a heterogeneous group of children that we meet daily in our clinic. The results indicated that P1 latency has a negative correlation with language development among our youngest patients fitted with CIs and might be a clinical tool to assess the maturation of central auditory pathways.