Asymmetric Insertion Depth May Hinder Academic Aptitude in Prelingual Cochlear Implant Children

An asymmetry of 40 degrees or greater is associated with a higher probability of placement in a special-needs program and/or assisted educational programs for the hearing-impaired. These data underscore the importance of carefully planning and executing electrode insertions to reduce interaural discrepancies, which may help optimize binaural hearing outcomes and support better educational prospects. Moreover, deeper insertions (aDOI ≥400 degrees) are associated with better functional audiological results (a CAP score ≥6).