Presentation - ECV2022-207
Vocal development of young children with early simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants
Youngmee Lee, Ewha Womans University, Korea (youngmee@ewha.ac.kr)
Yesol Jeon, Ewha Womans University, Korea (212shg15@ewhain.net)
Heusen Park, Gimpyo Yonsei Speech-Language Therapy Center, Korea (parkhs96@naver.com)
Aim: This study aimed to investigate vocal development in infants and toddlers with simultaneous bilateral CIs, aged 12–33 months, compared to those with typical hearing; and to explore the relationship between vocalization variables and language development in the CI group.
Method: Eleven toddlers who received bilateral CIs simultaneously before 1 year of age participated in this study. Age-matched toddlers with typical hearing participated as a control group. The spontaneous interactions between children and their parents during free play were transcribed. Children’s utterances were coded for canonical and noncanonical vocalizations.
Results: Data analysis showed no significant difference in the frequency of canonical and noncanonical vocalizations and the canonical vocalization ratio (CVR) between groups, with lower production of vocalizations in the CI group than in the typical hearing group. In the CI group, the frequency of canonical vocalization and CVR were significantly correlated with age, duration of implant use, and language scores.
Conclusions: These results showed that toddlers with early simultaneous bilateral CIs make rapid advancements in vocal development compared to those with typical hearing. Young children’s vocalizations may be positively associated with linguistic development in the CI group.
Implications for children and families: Young children with early simultaneous bilateral CIs vocalize similarly to children with typical hearing. If your child is diagnosed with profound hearing loss, simultaneous bilateral CIs are an effective option to support their speech development.
Implications for practitioners: The vocal development of young children with typical development provides a benchmark for monitoring the early vocal development of children with simultaneous bilateral CIs.
Key words: communication, quantitative methods, hearing loss, cochlear implant
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
