There is a constant pressure to reduce the age of cochlear implantation in profoundly deaf children and thereby improve the auditory verbal language development in implantees. We effected a change in the regimen for the assessment of new referrals, and show how this has shortened the time taken in Cambridge to complete assessment and offer implantation in appropriate cases. We achieved a reduction in the duration of assessment of 2.8 months (which was not, however, statistically significant) by simple reorganization, while, we believe, maintaining the standards of assessment.

This retrospective single case study describes the effect of methylphenidate (Ritalin) on the auditory attention of an implanted child with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Child A received a Nucleus 22 cochlear implant at age 4 years 6 months. His behaviour before and after the implant surgery was challenging. Language development made little progress. Five years later a diagnosis of ADHD was made and methylphenidate (Ritalin) was prescribed. The apparent effect of this drug on auditory attention is discussed. In this study, methylphenidate did not appear to affect threshold levels or responses in tuning. However, audition did improve in everyday listening conditions. The drug did not appear to assist language development. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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