Language Development in Children Implanted with the Clarion Cochlear Implant

• Published in: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology Vol. 108; no. 2; pp. 113 - 118
• Main Authors: Robbins, Amy McConkey, Bollard, Priscilla M, Green, Janet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.1999
• ISSN: 0003-4894

An examination of the development of language skills in prelingually, profoundly deaf children (N = 23) following implantation with the CLARION Multi-Strategy Cochlear Implant. Language skills were assessed with the Reynell Developmental Language Scales (RDLS) preoperatively with hearing aids & 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 & signed English. Significant improvements were observed in average age-equivalent scores over time, both for receptive & 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 vs total communication. 17 References. Adapted from the source document