Investigating the Demographic and Audiologic Characteristics of Cochlear Implant Patients in Guilan from 2020 to 2023

Background: Hearing impairment is one of the most prevalent health-related issues worldwide. Cochlear implantation is a medical procedure that is meant for patients with severe hearing impairment who cannot restore functional hearing with their hearing aids. Objective: To date, a precise number of cochlear implant patients are not available. We intended to investigate the demographic and audiologic characteristics of cochlear implant patients in Guilan from 2020 to 2023. Methods: There were three centers to search for cochlear implant patients: Guilan Cochlear Implant Center (GCIC), Welfare Organization and Exceptional Education Organization. Demographic and audiologic variables were investigated. Results: 153 subjects (79 females) were included in this study. The age range of patients was from 7 months to 67 years. Among children under 7 years old, there was a significant positive correlation between the age of diagnosis of hearing loss and the age of cochlear implantation (r= 0.43 and P<0.01). The age of diagnosis and the age of implantation in children under 7 years had no significant relationship with the literacy level of parents, place of residence, and economic status of the family (P>0.05). Conclusion: The age of diagnosis of hearing loss in nearly 70% of cochlear implant patients was before the age of one, but less than half of the children had received cochlear implants before the age of two. There was a significant delay between the age of diagnosis of hearing loss and the age of cochlear implantation, which requires investigating the reasons and planning to shorten this gap.