Auditory Speech Perception Development in Relation to Patient's Age with Cochlear Implant.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Cochlear implantation in pre-lingually deaf adolescents remains a subject of debate.
• Understanding speech perception development post-implantation is crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and compare auditory speech perception development in children with pre-lingual hearing impairment after cochlear implantation.
• To evaluate the impact of different age groups at implantation on speech perception outcomes within the first year.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective documentary research analyzing 78 reports of children with severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
• Participants were divided into three age groups: <42 months (G1), 43-83 months (G2), and >84 months (G3).
• Data collected included medical records, auditory thresholds, speech perception, and auditory skills assessments.

Main Results:

• No statistical difference in speech perception was found among the age groups (G1, G2, G3).
• Moderate correlations were observed between age and hearing aid/cochlear implant use time.
• Strong correlations existed between age and the timing of cochlear implant surgery, and hearing aid use time.

Conclusions:

• Patient age at cochlear implantation did not significantly impact speech perception outcomes.
• Statistically significant differences were noted in auditory deprivation time and hearing aid use time between specific age groups.