Inclusive Soundscapes: How Race, Socioeconomic Status and Maternal Age Influence the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Journey

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess how race, social vulnerability, and maternal age influence pediatric cochlear implant access and usage.Study DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingTertiary Pediatric University Hospital.MethodsThis study included individuals aged 0 to 18 who received a cochlear implant at our center between the years 2000 and 2022. Social vulnerability data from 2020 was obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ResultsOf the 302 patients included in our study, 43% were black and 50% were white. Patients from the highest to lowest social vulnerability quintiles comprised 31%, 25%, 18%, 10%, and 14% of our sample, respectively. Race was associated with social vulnerability index (SVI) (P < .001), with a mean score of 0.70 (±0.26) and 0.49 (±0.27) for black and white patients, respectively. Later age at hearing loss (HL) diagnosis and cochlear implantation (CI) were associated with more and most vulnerable SVI (P < .05). Delayed diagnosis was also associated with black and other racial groups (P = .041), and adolescent maternal age (P = .03). Greater SVI was associated with less daily cochlear implant usage (P = .004). The most vulnerable patients were more likely to be lost to follow‐up (P = .03) despite no difference based on maternal age (P = .59) and insurance status (P = .47).ConclusionThis study underscores the significance of mitigating disparities in timely diagnosis of HL, consistent CI usage, and appropriate follow‐up care. This is a first step toward the formulation of novel strategies aimed at overcoming barriers and developing appropriate intervention programs.