Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
06:04

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages

Published on: March 24, 2023

Social competence and empathy in young children with cochlear implants and with normal hearing

Lizet Ketelaar1, Carolien Rieffe, Carin H Wiefferink

  • 1Department of Developmental Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. lketelaar@fsw.leidenuniv.nl

The Laryngoscope
|September 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Children with cochlear implants demonstrate similar social competence and empathy as normal-hearing peers. However, factors influencing social competence differ, impacting rehabilitation strategies for pediatric cochlear implant users.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatric Audiology
  • Social-Emotional Development

Background:

  • Cochlear implants (CIs) aim to restore hearing but their impact on social-emotional development requires ongoing investigation.
  • Understanding social competence and empathy in children with CIs is crucial for comprehensive developmental support.
  • Previous research has yielded mixed results regarding social-emotional outcomes in children with CIs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare social competence and empathic behaviors in children with CIs versus normal-hearing children.
  • To investigate if empathy predicts social competence similarly across both groups.
  • To identify specific factors, such as emotion acknowledgment, influencing social competence in children with CIs.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study design was employed.
  • 150 children (61 with CIs, 89 normal-hearing, mean age 39 months) participated.
  • Parent reports and observational measures assessed empathy and social competence.

Main Results:

  • Children with CIs and normal-hearing children exhibited comparable levels of empathy and social competence.
  • Empathic behaviors significantly predicted social competence in both groups.
  • Emotion acknowledgment was a stronger predictor of social competence in children with CIs compared to normal-hearing peers.

Conclusions:

  • Children with CIs do not show delays in social competence or empathic behavior.
  • The predictors of social competence vary between children with CIs and their normal-hearing counterparts.
  • Findings underscore the need for tailored rehabilitation programs considering group-specific factors influencing social competence in pediatric CI users.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses14:05

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses

Published on: January 23, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Empathy02:34

Empathy

Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
Hearing01:31

Hearing

When we hear a sound, our nervous system is detecting sound waves—pressure waves of mechanical energy traveling through a medium. The frequency of the wave is perceived as pitch, while the amplitude is perceived as loudness.
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other01:20

Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other

According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.