APPLICATION

Cochlear Implant Candidacy & Outcome

P1 latency as a biomarker of central maturation around implantation — and a window on outcome.

What the cortical response shows

  • Children implanted early show P1 latency catching up to age-normal values; those stimulated only after the window has largely closed tend to retain a delayed P1.[14]
  • Prolonged auditory deprivation can lead to cross-modal reorganisation of auditory cortex, reflected in an abnormal cortical response.[15]
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After implantation, P1 latency normalises in a child implanted early within the sensitive period, but remains delayed in one implanted late — mirroring their differing outcomes.

Why the cortical response here

  • The developing auditory cortex is maximally plastic during an early sensitive period; P1 latency indexes whether stimulation has driven normal maturation.[14]

How it changes management

  • P1 latency supports the case for early implantation and offers an objective post-operative marker of central development to set alongside behavioural progress.[14]

TEACHING POINT

Earlier is better: a normalising P1 latency after early implantation is the physiological signature of the sensitive period being used in time.[14]

Sources for this page are listed on the References page. Browse all applications from the atlas home.