A history of ear tubes to treat infections does not appear to adversely affect children with cochlear implants

Newborn hearing screening is standard in almost all states. The use of cochlear implants to reverse hearing loss have been shown to be successful in children younger than age 2, according to background information in the article.

As a result, children are increasingly identified as candidates for cochlear implants. This article reviews a study reported in the June issue of Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, shows that infection does not adversely affect children with cochlear implants, whether the tubes are left in place or not.

Many kids have had tubes are placed in children's ears to prevent middle ear infections, and if one of those kids were to be outfitted with a Cochlear Implant, often times the tubes are removed to prevent infection. However this study shows that may not be necessary.