Language Development in Children Implanted with the Clarion® Cochlear Implant

• Published in: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology Vol. 108; no. 4_suppl; pp. 113 - 118
• Main Authors: Robbins, Amy McConkey, Bollard, Priscilla M., Green, Janet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.04.1999; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aging - psychology; Child, Preschool; Cochlear Implantation; Cochlear Implants; Deafness - physiopathology; Deafness - rehabilitation; Deafness - surgery; Humans; Infant; Language Development; cochlear implant; children; language
• ISSN: 0003-4894; 0096-8056; 1943-572X
• DOI: 10.1177/00034894991080S423

This study examined the development of language skills in 23 prelingually, profoundly deaf children following implantation with the CLARION® Multi-Strategy™ Cochlear Implant. Language skills were assessed with the Reynell Developmental Language Scales (RDLS) preoperatively with hearing aids, and compared to postoperative performance after 6 months of Clarion use. The RDLS was administered in each child's preferred mode of communication, either spoken English alone or simultaneous spoken and signed English. Significant improvements were observed in average age-equivalent scores over time, both for receptive and expressive skills, although the absolute language levels of the implanted children remained delayed relative to those of hearing peers of the same chronological age. The children's rate of language growth in the first 6 months of implant use also was calculated. The results from this analysis showed that the Clarion children, on average, progressed at a rate that exceeded that of normal-hearing children of the same language age. There was no significant difference between the language performance of children who used oral versus total communication.