The American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery endorses the American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance’s position paper on Pediatric Habilitation Following Cochlear Implantation which defines appropriate speech/language habilitation services for children following cochlear implantation.
ACI Alliance Position Paper: Pediatric Habilitation Following Cochlear Implantation
Additionally, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery endorses the American Academy of Audiology clinical practice guideline for cochlear implantation in pediatric and adult patients, specifically as it pertains to outcomes assessments, followup schedule, and recommendations for care beyond device programming for pediatric cochlear implant recipients.
Clinical Practice Guideline: Cochlear Implants
Finally, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery endorses the American Cochlear Implant Alliance Task Force guidelines for the assessment and management of cochlear implantation in children with single-sided deafness, including its recommendation for auditory listening therapy based on a hierarchy of auditory skills and development of binaural integration.
Drafted: April 2016
Reviewed: December 2025
References:
Messersmith JJ, Entwisle L, Warren S, Scott M. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Cochlear Implants. J Am Acad Audiol. 2019 Nov/Dec;30(10):827-844. doi: 10.3766/jaaa.19088. PMID: 31823835.
Park, Lisa R.1; Griffin, Amanda M.2,3; Sladen, Douglas P.4; Neumann, Sara5; Young, Nancy M.6,7,8. American Cochlear Implant Alliance Task Force Guidelines for Clinical Assessment and Management of Cochlear Implantation in Children With Single-Sided Deafness. Ear and Hearing 43(2):p 255-267, March/April 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001204
Percy-Smith, L., Tonning, T.L., Josvassen, J.L., Mikkelsen, J.H., Nissen, L. . . . CayeThomasen, P. (2018). Auditory verbal habilitation is associated with improved outcome for children with cochlear implant. Cochlear Implants International, 19(1), 38-45.
Jeddi, Z., Jafari, Z., Zarandy, M.M., & Kassani, A. (2014). Aural rehabilitation in children with cochlear implants: A study of cognition, social communication, and motor skill development. Cochlear implants international, 15(2), 93-100.
Important Disclaimer Notice (Updated 7/31/14)
Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. Position statements are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.
