{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,24]],"date-time":"2025-11-24T12:50:43Z","timestamp":1763988643031,"version":"3.45.0"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,24]],"date-time":"2025-11-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1763942400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Audiology Research"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Binaural hearing is crucial for spatial auditory perception, including sound localization. Cochlear implants (CIs) are commonly used in children with congenital deafness to support binaural auditory development, but the extent to which they facilitate effective localization remains unclear. Objective: This study evaluates the impact of CIs on binaural functional auditory development and sound localization in children with congenital deafness, considering factors such as age at implantation, hearing experience, and CI laterality. Methods: Thirty-eight CI-assisted children (aged 4\u20139 years) underwent directional hearing assessments using the \u201cErfassung des Richtungsh\u00f6rens bei Kindern (ERKI)\u201d device. Localization accuracy was analyzed across various noise stimuli, and correlations with audiometric parameters and CI history were examined. Results: Localization accuracy improved with age and CI experience. Bilateral CI users outperformed unilateral users, particularly with pulse pink noise stimuli. The use of SmartSound iQ with SCAN technology enhanced localization, especially in younger children. Conclusion: CIs support binaural functional auditory development in children with congenital deafness, with localization skills improving over time. Bilateral implantation and early intervention may further enhance outcomes, warranting continued research.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/audiolres15060163","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,24]],"date-time":"2025-11-24T11:47:22Z","timestamp":1763984842000},"page":"163","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Binaural Localization Development and the Effect of SmartSound iQ with SCAN in Children with Cochlear Implants"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-6923-2904","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Abdulaziz","family":"Alasmi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center (KAESC), King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 12629, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mada","family":"Aljabr","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Cochlear Arabia Regional Headquarters, Riyadh 12361, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-2032-4921","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dalal","family":"Alrushaydan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Cochlear Arabia Regional Headquarters, Riyadh 12361, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-7080-3319","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hassan","family":"Yalcouy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Cochlear Arabia Regional Headquarters, Riyadh 12361, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3354-8756","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fida","family":"Almuhawas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"King Abdullah Ear Specialist Center (KAESC), King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh 12629, Saudi Arabia"},{"name":"Department of Otolaryngology\u2013Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"819","DOI":"10.1044\/2022_AJA-22-00006","article-title":"Sound Localization of Listeners with Normal Hearing, Impaired Hearing, Hearing Aids, Bone-Anchored Hearing Instruments, and Cochlear Implants: A Review","volume":"31","author":"Zheng","year":"2022","journal-title":"Am. 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