Development of auditory, language, and speech skills of children with cochlear implants: a study of aural rehabilitation benefits

Abstract

Objectives: to determine the benefits of aural rehabilitation in the auditory, language, and speech development of children with cochlear implants. Method: This longitudinal study was conducted on 15 deaf children (m.a. 45.27mo) who received cochlear implants in the AmirAlam cochlear implant center in Tehran, Iran. Data on the subjects were collected before they received cochlear implants, and then again 2, 4, 6, and 8months after implantation. The children’s developmental age in terms of auditory, speech, and receptive and expressive language skills was determined through interviews with their parents and scored using the Newsha Developmental Scale. We then computed the Pretest Developmental Rate, the Intervention Efficiency Index, and the Proportional Change Index. Results: A significant difference was observed among the preintervention and the 4 follow-up assessments of the Pretest Developmental Rate in four studied skills (P<0.0001). There was a significant difference among the 4 follow-up assessments of the Intervention Efficiency