Application of Chinese domestic cochlear implant in children with autism: Two case reports

This report presents two cases of male children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and profound sensorineural hearing loss who received unilateral Chinese domestic cochlear implant (CI). Both children were diagnosed with ASD post-implantation. Given the risk of sensory overload, stimulation should be introduced progressively to facilitate acclimatisation. While CI outcomes in children with ASD are often variable and generally less favourable compared to typically developing peers, the children in this report demonstrated improvements in auditory abilities and likely certain ASD characteristics. These findings support that ASD should not be considered a contraindication for CI, and Chinese domestic CI offers a viable treatment option. However, comprehensive assessment and individualised management strategies are always warranted for optimising outcomes in this unique population.