Risk Factors for Severe and Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Auditory Performance in Children After Cochlear Implant Surgery in a Peruvian Pediatric Institute

Background Sensorineural hearing loss in children, when associated with specific risk factors, may impair language development and negatively affect quality of life, as well as family and social integration. Objective To determine the association between risk factors for severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss and auditory performance in post–cochlear implant patients in a Peruvian pediatric institute. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of children who underwent cochlear implantation between 2021 and 2024. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and auditory performance was assessed using the PEACH questionnaire. Poor auditory performance was defined as a PEACH score < 75%. Crude prevalence ratios were estimated through bivariate analysis, and multivariable associations were evaluated using logistic regression and Poisson regression with robust variance. Results Medical records from 100 children were analyzed. Preterm children and those with low birth weight showed lower PEACH scores than children born at term or with normal birth weight. Children implanted before 1 year of age had better auditory performance than those implanted after 3 years. Prematurity (adjusted OR = 2.8), low birth weight (adjusted OR = 3.5), severe perinatal asphyxia (adjusted OR = 3.2), and meningitis (adjusted OR = 4.7) were independently associated with poorer auditory performance, with meningitis showing the strongest association. Conclusions Neonatal risk factors, particularly prematurity, low birth weight, severe perinatal asphyxia, and meningitis, were significantly associated with poorer auditory performance after cochlear implantation in children with sensorineural hearing loss. Early identification and appropriate management of these risk factors, together with timely intervention and follow-up, may help optimize auditory outcomes in this population.