Verbal cognition in deaf children using cochlear implants: effect of unilateral and bilateral stimulation

The aim of this study is to assess the role of bilateral/bimodal device use in auditory speech perception in complex listening situations and long-term verbal cognition in deaf children using cochlear implants (CIs). Two groups of children are compared (unilateral and bilateral device users) concerning vocabulary, speech perception at conversational level and in complex listening situations, and verbal cognition. In this retrospective study, we collected data of 37 deaf children with normal learning potential of whom 16 were unilateral CI users and 21 were bilateral device users (9 with a bimodal fitting and 12 with bilateral CIs). We came to the conclusion that deaf children who use bilateral devices have the opportunity to develop good speech perception skills in complex listening conditions. These abilities enable at least some of the children to develop age-equivalent verbal cognition skills.