Simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation in a five-month-old child with Usher syndrome

Objective: To report a rare case of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation in a five-month-old child with Usher syndrome. Method: Case report. Results: A five-month-old boy with Usher syndrome and congenital profound bilateral deafness underwent simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation. The decision to perform implantation in such a young child was based on his having a supportive family and the desire to foster his audiological development before his vision deteriorated. The subject experienced easily resolvable intra-and post-operative adverse events, and was first fitted with an externally worn audio processor four weeks after implantation. At 14 months of age, his audiological development was age-appropriate. Conclusion: Simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation is possible, and even advisable, in children as young as five months old when performed by an experienced implantation team.