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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Gross motor skill deficits in children with cochlear implants compared with normal-hearing peers
Selma Yılar1, Sare Çankaya2,3, Mert Kılıç2
1Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sakarya University of Applied Sciences, Sakarya, Turkey. selmayilar@subu.edu.tr.
Summary
Children with cochlear implants (CI) show poorer gross motor skills compared to normal-hearing peers. Targeted motor assessments and interventions are crucial for managing children with CI.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric audiology
- Motor development
- Rehabilitation sciences
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CI) are vital for hearing restoration in children.
- Gross motor competence is essential for overall childhood development.
- Limited research exists on motor skills in children with CI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare gross motor competence between children with CI and normal-hearing (NH) peers.
- To investigate the association between CI use and gross motor skill development.
Main Methods:
- 44 children (4-7 years) participated: 22 unilateral CI users and 22 NH controls.
- Gross motor skills assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2).
- Evaluated locomotor, object-control, and total gross motor scores.
Main Results:
- NH children significantly outperformed CI users in all TGMD-2 domains (p < .001).
- Deficits observed in most locomotor and object-control skills, except gallop and catch.
- Older age correlated with higher gross motor performance (p < .001).
Conclusions:
- Children with CI demonstrate significantly poorer gross motor performance than NH peers.
- Motor skill deficits are prevalent across various domains in children with CI.
- Clinical management should include motor assessment and targeted interventions for children with CI.
