Cochlear Implant procedures. Italian Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Italian Society of Otorhinolaryngology (SIOeChCF) and Italian Society of Audiology and Phoniatrics (SIAF). Part 1: cochlear implants in adults
Abstract
Objective: Cochlear Implant (CI) is a well-established treatment for adults with sensorineural hearing loss without benefit from hearing aids. The Italian guidelines date back 15 years; given the expansion of indications for CI, including single side deafness and asymmetrical hearing loss, it became necessary to establish updated guidelines.
Methods: Thirteen experts and 2 patients’ representatives, selected the key questions and draw up recommendations. The document was developed following the GRADE methodology. The methodological team of the Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute performed systematic reviews for each question and supported the overall process.
Results: Five key questions were identified and recommendation formulated, with subgroups and implementation considerations.
Conclusions: Though the systematic research of scientific literature found a scarcity of randomized trials and an overall poor conduct and reporting quality of primary studies and systematic reviews, strong or conditional recommendations in favour of CI have been formulated for different subgroups of patients. Further studies should enrol a higher number of participants and use consistent instrument to evaluate hearing outcomes, to increase results comparability and data pooling through meta-analysis.
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© Società Italiana di Otorinolaringoiatria e chirurgia cervico facciale , 2025
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