Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Existing European national guidelines agree to provide cochlear implantation to children with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss and to offer bilateral treatment depending on the hearing status of the best hearing ear and progression of hearing loss, and in the case of congenital hearing loss to do this at the youngest possible age. However, studies and reports demonstrate substantial and persistent disparities in the provision of pediatric cochlear implantation across Europe. Variations in national policies, service quality, and access to timely diagnosis and intervention continue to affect equitable care, even in high-income countries. These findings underscore the need for a coordinated, European-level approach to harmonize clinical practice and guidance. A group of European experts, professionals and patient representatives have set out to develop consensus statements to address the disparity in European provision. The consensus statements have been drawn up by the group in an iterative process of online and in-person group discussions. The European consensus statements may also contribute to awareness of cochlear implantation for children and to ensure effective services for children with severe to profound hearing loss who are eligible for cochlear implantation.
Authors: Emmanuel Mylanus, Sue Archbold, Antje Aschendorff, Manohar Bance, Caglar Batman, Saba Battelino, Wolf-Dieter Baumgartner, Jan Boucek, Andreas Büchner, Per Caye-Thomasen, Eliana Cristofari, Domenico Cuda, Helen Cullington, Aarno Dietz, Tobias Fischer, Jane Gallacher, Ralf Greisiger, Tricia Kemp, Jozsef Geza Kiss, Natalie Loundon, Manuel Manrique, João Elói Moura, Thomas Nikolopoulos, Luminita Radulescu, Leo De Raeve, Angel Ramos, Petar Rouev, Piotr Henryk Skarzynski, Karin Stenfeldt, Sandra Stojanovic, Franco Trabalzini, Line Troost, Robert Trotic, Eric Truy, Lukas Varga, Nicolas Verhaert, Jantien Vroegop, Astrid van Wieringen, Jesper Borchorst Yde, Andrzej Zarowski, Thomas Lenarz
Institutions: Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Medical University of Vienna, Charles University, University Hospital in Motol, Fakultní nemocnice Motol a Homolka, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Parma, Guglielmo da Saliceto Hospital, University of Southampton, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio University Hospital, University Hospital Crosshouse, Oslo University Hospital, University of Szeged, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University General Hospital Attikon, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Skåne University Hospital, University of Belgrade, Kliničko Bolnički Centar Zvezdara, Meyer Children's Hospital, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Sisters of Charity Hospital, Lyon 1 Université, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Hospices Civils de Lyon, University Hospital Bratislava, Comenius University Bratislava, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, KU Leuven, Erasmus MC, GZA Ziekenhuizen Campus Sint-Augustinus, GZA Ziekenhuizen
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,490
OpenAlex ID: W7204104879