This substantial volume is nearly 900 pages long but definitely worth the shelf space. That said, it hasn’t actually made it to a shelf since its arrival at our department as everyone who spotted it has wanted to borrow it!
The multidisciplinary areas of paediatric clinical cochlear implant (CI) management are comprehensively and expertly covered in its 23 chapters. Beyond the technical, research and reference updates expected of a second edition, it also includes new areas such as neurocognitive assessment which, in line with the style of the book as a whole, are accessible to the non-specialists amongst us.
The broadening of both criteria and experience in CI is reflected in the detailed rehabilitation and education section and insightful chapters on special populations, including low socio-economic groups, additional disabilities, auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder and use of brainstem implants. Many chapters also make useful reading for professionals supporting moderate to severely hearing impaired children outside of the cochlear implant clinic and referring clinicians.
Whilst the illustrious contributors are almost exclusively from North America, the clinical advice chimes very well with current UK practice and the assessment materials will be very familiar to (although not always used by) most UK CI professionals.
Although a weighty tome, it is well written, well organised and divided into clear sections, making it easy enough to pick up for browsing. Its price tag of about £110 is appropriate and it certainly warrants a place as a reference book in cochlear implant and audiology clinics and in student and medical libraries.
