OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to learn the degree to which cochlear implantation at 12 months of age could reduce gaps in performance between hearing age and chronological age - that is, whether infants with access to cochlear implants at 12 months of age would be 12 months delayed, or less, in vocabulary production one year later. METHOD: Baseline vocabulary production was measured by parent interview and direct observation approximately 4 months post cochlear implant (CI) activation, and again 12 months after CI activation using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences. RESULTS: Infants produced few if any words shortly after CI activation. Word production increased significantly during the 12 months following CI activation but scores were still significantly below age-level expectations based on chronological age. Vocabulary scores were, however, significantly better than expected based on hearing age, or duration of implant use. CONCLUSION: Word production was delayed at both time points; however, access to cochlear implants at 12 months of age decreased the size of anticipated delays one year later, narrowing the expected gap between hearing age and chronological age.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to learn the degree to which cochlear implantation at 12 months of age could reduce gaps in performance between hearing age and chronological age - that is, whether infants with access to cochlear implants at 12 months of age would be 12 months delayed, or less, in vocabulary production one year later. METHOD: Baseline vocabulary production was measured by parent interview and direct observation approximately 4 months post cochlear implant (CI) activation, and again 12 months after CI activation using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Sentences. RESULTS:Infants produced few if any words shortly after CI activation. Word production increased significantly during the 12 months following CI activation but scores were still significantly below age-level expectations based on chronological age. Vocabulary scores were, however, significantly better than expected based on hearing age, or duration of implant use. CONCLUSION:Word production was delayed at both time points; however, access to cochlear implants at 12 months of age decreased the size of anticipated delays one year later, narrowing the expected gap between hearing age and chronological age.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cochlear implant; Early implantation; Hearing loss; Infants; Vocabulary delay; Vocabulary development; Word production