The effect of the Arabic computer rehabilitation program "Rannan" on sound detection and discrimination in children with cochlear implants

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this work is to examine the efficacy of using computer-based training program (Rannan) as an intervention approach to enhance sound detection and discrimination in Arabic-speaking children with cochlear implants (CIs). Research Design: A prospective study comparing performance between two groups of children. Participants were divided into two equal groups that were matched in age and programming strategies. Group I received the traditional clinic-based therapy and group II received the same traditional therapy approach in addition to a computer-based program. Study Sample: A total of 26 children with CIs in the age range of 3-6.5 yr were recruited from King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Data Collection and Analysis: Listening Progress Profile and Infant-Toddler Meaningful Integration Scale were used preoperatively, and to compare performance between the two groups at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-mo after device-fitting. Data were subjected to mixed analysis of variance. Results: Both assessment tools (Listening Progress Profile and Infant-Toddler Meaningful Integration Scale) revealed that group II scored higher than group I. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that using computer-based training in addition to the traditional rehabilitation therapy can serve as a facilitative tool to enhance the benefit achieved from CI.