In Brief:
Provision of bilateral cochlear implants to those with childhood-onset hearing loss has increased recently. Long-term functional outcome information is needed so that clinicians can provide evidence-based preoperative counseling and postoperative management, and so that families can make informed decisions and develop appropriate expectations. In this study, 57 parents indicated that the majority of children and young adults adapted easily to bilateral implants, preferred bilateral implants, and wore two implants full time. The most common benefits related to localization, responsiveness, and need for repetition. Positive outcomes were more likely for younger children, who also tended to have a shorter interimplant delay.
