THE CENTRAL AUDITORY-SYSTEM AND AUDITORY DEPRIVATION - EXPERIENCE WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANTS IN THE CONGENITALLY DEAF

In the present paper we briefly review tile response of the central au ditory sq stem to auditory deprivation and describe recent experimenta l and clinical experience with cochlear implants. While the central au ditory system undergoes marked changes in response to auditory depriva tion, it would appear that at least a rudimentary cochleotopic organis ation is maintained at the level of the brainstem and auditory cortex in animals deafened from birth. Moreover, recent studies have demonstr ated the ability of the central auditory system to undergo Functional reorganisation in response to changes in the pattern of afferent activ ity. Clinical experience has shown that deaf children with little or n o prior auditory experience can obtain significant benefit from cochle ar implants, provided the device is fitted at a young age. Furthermore , factors predicting successful clinical outcomes with these devices r eflect the importance of auditory experience, either prior to an acqui red loss or with; the use of a cochlear implant. These findings sugges t that functional reorganisation within the central auditory pathway; can at least partially account for improvements in clinical performanc e over time.