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Second oral language capabilities in children with cochlear implants
Susan B Waltzman1, Amy McConkey Robbins, Janet E Green
1New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. susan.waltzman@med.nyu.edu
Summary
Children with cochlear implants can achieve oral fluency in a second language. Key factors influencing this development include post-implantation speech perception and the linguistic environment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric audiology
- Speech-language pathology
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Oral language development in children with cochlear implants (CIs) is influenced by various factors.
- While baseline achievements are known, higher attainment levels, such as second language acquisition, remain less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of children with CIs developing oral fluency in a second language.
- To identify factors impacting the development of second language oral fluency in pediatric CI users.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study conducted at a university medical center.
- Involved 18 profoundly hearing-impaired children who were reported to be bilingual and received cochlear implantation at age 5 or younger.
- Evaluated subjects using standard speech perception and language measures.
Main Results:
- Some pediatric CI recipients demonstrated the ability to develop competency in a second spoken language.
- The majority of participants exhibited age-appropriate receptive and/or expressive language skills in their primary language, comparable to normal-hearing children.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric CI recipients can achieve high levels of linguistic accomplishment, including learning a second spoken language.
- Factors such as post-implantation speech perception, linguistic environment, intervention type, and educational setting are crucial variables.