Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Over the past decade, the number of deaf children with developmental disabilities receiving cochlear implants has increased dramatically. However, little is known about the developmental outcomes of these children post-implantation. The current study evaluated oral language and behavioral outcomes over 3 years after implantation in a sample of typically developing deaf children and children with developmental disabilities.
STUDY DESIGN
A three year longitudinal study of the effects of cochlear implantation on language and behavioral outcomes in children with and without additional disabilities.
SETTING
Six cochlear implant centers in the United States.
PATIENTS
The study cohort consisted of 188 deaf children. Eighty-five percent of the sample (n = 157) had a single diagnosis of severe to profound hearing loss and 15% (n = 31) had an additional disability.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Oral language was assessed using the Reynell Developmental Language Scales, and behavioral outcomes were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist.
RESULTS
Results using multilevel modeling indicated that deaf children with and without additional disabilities improved significantly in oral language skills post-implantation. However, children with additional disabilities made slower progress. In terms of specific diagnoses, children with developmental disorders, such as autism, made the slowest progress over time. In addition, behavior problems increased significantly in this group, whereas behavior problems decreased over 3 years in the typically developing deaf sample.
CONCLUSION
Overall, given the improvements in expressive and receptive language skills documented over 3 years, these findings support the use of cochlear implants for deaf children with developmental disabilities.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Cruz I, Vicaria I, Wang NY, Niparko J, Quittner AL, CDaCI Investigative Team

Institution

Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33136, USA. icruz@med.miami.edu

Source

Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 33:5 2012 Jul pg 751-60

MeSH

Child Behavior
Child, Preschool
Cochlear Implantation
Cochlear Implants
Developmental Disabilities
Female
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Humans
Infant
Language
Language Development
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Treatment Outcome

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22699986