The early auditory development of finnish children with cochlear implants evaluated with the LittlEARS® auditory...

To assess if the LittlEARS® Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ) shows early auditory development of Finnish children with cochlear implants (CIs), the links between LEAQ and background variables, and if language skills at 12 and 24 months of hearing age can be predicted by results from LEAQ or other measures at 6, 12 and 18 months.

15 children with CIs (unilateral or bilateral CIs or CI and hearing aid) were evaluated six times with LEAQ during two first years after cochlear implantation. A background information questionnaire and six other measures were administered. The data were statistically analysed and compared to a previous dataset of normally hearing (NH) children (N = 318).

Children with CIs received higher scores in LEAQ during the first 12 months of hearing age compared to NH children during their first 12 months of chronological age. Compared to other measures, LEAQ showed progress in auditory development at younger hearing age. Children with bilateral hearing received higher scores in LEAQ on average than children with unilateral CI. A pattern of positive associations between total score of LEAQ at 6- and 12-month hearing age and speech comprehension skills at 12 and 24 months was found.

LEAQ is a well-functioning measure in assessing and evaluating the early auditory development of children with CIs soon after implantation. The LEAQ results at 6- and 12-months hearing age may help identify children needing extra support to develop their auditory skills.