Candidate criteria for cochlear implantation have significantly changed since the first multichannel device was implanted in the late 1970s. The pool of candidates has gradually expanded to more challenging cases like older adults, prelingually deafened adults, children with complex needs, or patients with cochlear malformations.

The main focus of this special issue will be on challenges in cochlear implantation. We particularly take an interest in manuscripts that report on outcome of cochlear implantation in specific populations such as the elderly, prelingually deafened adults, and children with complex needs. Reviews on outcome of cochlear implantation related to the genetic background of the disorder are welcome as well as surgical pearls and pitfalls related to cochlear implantation in congenital malformed ears. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Cochlear implants in older adults
• Cochlear implants in retrocochlear pathology
• Cochlear implants in prelingually deafened adults
• Cochlear implants in children with complex needs
• Cochlear implantation and genetics
• Cochlear implantation in surgically challenging cases
• Cochlear implantation in the deaf community

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijol/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: