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Speech intelligibility in children after cochlear implantation
M C Allen1, T P Nikolopoulos, G M O'Donoghue
1Department of Otolaryngology, Nottingham Paediatric Cochlear Implant Programme, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
The American Journal of Otology
|November 27, 1998
Summary
Young deaf children show significant speech intelligibility improvements for up to 5 years after cochlear implantation. Their speech progresses from unintelligible to understandable with continued rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric audiology
- Speech-language pathology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Congenital and prelingual deafness significantly impacts speech development.
- Cochlear implantation is a key intervention for restoring hearing in deaf children.
- Long-term outcomes of speech intelligibility after cochlear implantation require extensive evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term speech intelligibility in young deaf children following cochlear implantation.
- To track speech development over a 5-year period post-implantation.
- To understand the trajectory of speech intelligibility gains in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study design with 84 children receiving Nucleus multichannel cochlear implants.
- Children were implanted before age 7 and followed for up to 5 years.
- Speech intelligibility was assessed annually using a standardized rating scale.
Main Results:
- Significant yearly improvements in speech intelligibility were observed for 4 years post-implantation.
- By year 3, average intelligibility reached 'intelligible speech with concentration'.
- At 5 years, 85% had intelligible connected speech, with median rating of 'understandable to experienced listeners'.
Conclusions:
- Congenital and prelingually deaf children demonstrate gradual development of intelligible speech after cochlear implantation.
- Speech intelligibility gains continue beyond 5 years, indicating no plateau.
- Cochlear implantation coupled with rehabilitation supports sustained speech development.