Development of auditory and language skills in children using cochlear implants with two signal processing strategies

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Pediatric Cochlear Implantation
• Speech and Language Pathology

Background:

• The HiRes 120 sound processing strategy offers enhanced spectral information, raising expectations for pediatric cochlear implant users.
• Children's shorter auditory deprivation duration and higher neural plasticity suggest potential for greater benefit from advanced strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the auditory and language development of Brazilian children with cochlear implants using HiRes versus HiRes 120 sound processing strategies.

Main Methods:

• Thirty children (1-3 years) with congenital hearing loss were divided into two groups based on their initial sound processing strategy.
• Auditory and language skills were assessed longitudinally using standardized scales at baseline and 12 months post-implantation.
• The Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical comparison between groups.

Main Results:

• Auditory and language skills improved within the first year of cochlear implant use for all participants.
• No statistically significant differences were observed in the development of these skills between the HiRes and HiRes 120 groups.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric cochlear implant recipients demonstrated similar auditory and language skill development over the study period, irrespective of the sound processing strategy employed.
• The choice of signal processing strategy at activation did not appear to influence the developmental trajectory of auditory and language skills in this cohort.