Individual Differences in Language Performance after Cochlear Implantation at One to Three Years of Age: Child, Family, and Linguistic Factors

Abstract

Language skills were investigated in a multicultural sample of 13 prelingually deaf children (11 profoundly deaf from birth) who received cochlear implants between 14 and 38 months of age; average duration of implant use was 49 months. Individual postimplant language skills ranged from extremely delayed to age appropriate. On average, skills varied across domains: on vocabulary, several children functioned in the average range compared with hearing peers, but all were below that range on a test emphasizing syntax (CELF-P). Children with preimplant hearing experience had the highest scores on all language measures. Excluding these children, age of implantation (range 14 to 27 months) associated inversely and significantly with CELF-P scores, even when nonverbal IQ was controlled. Qualitative analyses indicated higher child language achievement associated with parents' reports of lengthy, in-depth processes to decide about cochlear implantation. Such reports may indicate high levels of ongoing parent involvement with child and programming.

The language development of a deaf child with a cochlear implant

“…With the advent of CI, however, this approach has suffered a decrease of scholarly attention in favour of the medical approach. The few studies that do seem to investigate signed language in deaf children with a CI seem to suffer from several lacks: some are inconclusive, showing great interpersonal differences (Spencer, 2004;Van Deun et al, 2009;Majdak, 2006;Makhdoum et al, 1998), others make use of a poorly defined or limited participant group (Nordqvist & Nelfelt, 2004;Yoshinaga-Itano, 2006;Ruggirello & Mayer, 2010). This makes results hard to interpret or generalize (Schauwers et al, 2008;De Raeve, Loots, 2008;Weisel et al, 2007).…”

Everyday problems and stress faced by parents of children with cochlear implants.

“…Moreover, great variability is often reported in children's outcomes following CI (Bat-Chava et al, 2005;Purdy, Chard, Moran, & Hodgson, 1995;Sach & Whynes, 2005;Spencer, 2004;Spencer & Marschak, 2003;Svirsky et al, 2000). This variability indicates that children may continue to demonstrate hearing and communication difficulties after CI.…”

Early Intervention with Children Who Have a Hearing Loss: Role of the Professional and Parent Participation

“…Basic assumption is that if adequate auditory and linguistic experience is provided to most children who have hearing loss from an early age; cognitive and linguistic functioning can be expected to follow the normal course of development (Clark, 2007;Geers, 2004, as cited in Cole andFlexer, 2007;Houston, et.al., 2003;Moller, 2000;Rice & Lenihan, 2005;Spencer, 2004;Wallace, et.al., 2000;Warren, 2000).…”

“…Indeed it becomes possible to follow normal developmental patterns in language development without considerable delay and in most cases with no delay at all (Brown & Arehart, 2000;DesJardin, et.al., 2006;Moller, 2000;Hoberg-Arehart & Yoshinago-Itano, 1999;Houston, et.al., 2003;Robinshaw, 1995;Spencer, 2004;Wallace, et.al., 2000;White, 2006, Yoshinago-Itano & Apuzzo, 1998. Starting with the diagnosis of the hearing loss, parents should be encouraged to follow normal interaction patterns during their daily life.…”