[Receptive and expressive speech development in children with cochlear implant]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric audiology
• Developmental linguistics
• Speech-language pathology

Background:

• Cochlear implantation (CI) is a critical intervention for children with severe to profound hearing loss.
• Assessing language development in CI recipients is essential for monitoring progress and optimizing outcomes.
• Early language acquisition and auditory memory are key indicators of successful CI rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the language development, including receptive and expressive skills, and auditory memory in children with cochlear implants (CI).
• To compare language development outcomes based on the age of cochlear implantation.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized the Grimm's language development test (SETK 3-5) to assess receptive and expressive language and auditory memory.
• Data from 49 children, implanted before age three, were compared to hearing norms at 3.0-3.5 years.
• Participants were grouped based on implantation timing: within 12 months, 13-24 months, and after 25 months.

Main Results:

• Complete data were obtained from 63% of participants, showing a balanced profile of receptive and expressive language development.
• Children who received cochlear implants within the first year of life achieved language and auditory memory milestones earlier than those implanted later.
• The gap between language age and chronological age was reduced in CI recipients.

Conclusions:

• The Language Test for Children (SETK 3-5) is a suitable tool for assessing language development in children with cochlear implants.
• Early cochlear implantation (within the first year) is associated with accelerated language and auditory memory development.
• The SETK 3-5 can provide valuable data on language skills from age three onwards for CI users.