Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
06:04
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
407
Features of the speech processing network in post- and prelingually deaf cochlear implant users
Younuo Chen1, Songjian Wang1, Liu Yang2
1Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Capital Medical University), Ministry of Education, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|January 1, 2024
Summary
Cochlear implants reorganize brain networks for speech processing differently in pre- and postlingual users. Despite lower auditory activation, cochlear implant users maintain efficient speech processing networks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Speech Processing
Background:
- Hearing loss alters brain structure and function.
- Hearing restoration via cochlear implantation (CI) can lead to cortical reorganization.
- Functional reorganization patterns differ between postlingual and prelingual CI users, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of language acquisition and hearing restoration on speech perception.
- To explore cortical reorganization in speech processing networks after cochlear implantation.
- To compare brain activation, functional connectivity, and network attributes in postlingual CI users, prelingual CI users, and hearing controls (HC).
Main Methods:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to assess brain activity and connectivity.
- Speech-in-noise stimuli were presented to three groups: postlingual CI users (n=12), prelingual CI users (n=10), and age-matched HC (n=22).
- Graph theory analysis was applied to examine network attributes of speech processing networks.
Main Results:
- Cochlear implant users exhibited lower activation in auditory-related areas compared to HC.
- Significant differences in network attributes of speech processing networks were observed between postlingual and prelingual CI users, particularly in Wernicke's and Broca's areas.
- Despite altered activation patterns, CI users demonstrated high network efficiency for processing speech information.
Conclusions:
- The study characterizes speech processing networks in varying noise environments for postlingual and prelingual CI users.
- Results offer insights into how different cochlear implantation timings influence the remodeling of functional speech processing networks.
- Findings highlight distinct neural reorganization strategies based on the age of hearing loss onset and restoration.
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