Xing Lu1, Zhaobing Qin2. 1. Department of Otology, Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. 2. Department of Otology, Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. Electronic address: qzb@zzu.edu.cn.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early auditory performance, speech perception and language skills in Mandarin-speaking prelingual deaf children in the first two years after they received a cochlear implant (CI) and analyse the effects of possible associated factors. METHODS: The Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (ITMAIS)/Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS), Mandarin Early Speech Perception (MESP) test and Putonghua Communicative Development Inventory (PCDI) were used to assess auditory and language outcomes in 132 Mandarin-speaking children pre- and post-implantation. RESULTS: Children with CIs exhibited an ITMAIS/MAIS and PCDI developmental trajectory similar to that of children with normal hearing. The increased number of participants who achieved MESP categories 1-6 at each test interval showed a significant improvement in speech perception by paediatric CI recipients. Age at implantation and socioeconomic status were consistently associated with both auditory and language outcomes in the first two years post-implantation. CONCLUSION: Mandarin-speaking children with CIs exhibit significant improvements in early auditory and language development. Though these improvements followed the normative developmental trajectories, they still exhibited a gap compared with normative values. Earlier implantation and higher socioeconomic status are consistent predictors of greater auditory and language skills in the early stage.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early auditory performance, speech perception and language skills in Mandarin-speaking prelingual deaf children in the first two years after they received a cochlear implant (CI) and analyse the effects of possible associated factors. METHODS: The Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (ITMAIS)/Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS), Mandarin Early Speech Perception (MESP) test and Putonghua Communicative Development Inventory (PCDI) were used to assess auditory and language outcomes in 132 Mandarin-speaking children pre- and post-implantation. RESULTS:Children with CIs exhibited an ITMAIS/MAIS and PCDI developmental trajectory similar to that of children with normal hearing. The increased number of participants who achieved MESP categories 1-6 at each test interval showed a significant improvement in speech perception by paediatric CI recipients. Age at implantation and socioeconomic status were consistently associated with both auditory and language outcomes in the first two years post-implantation. CONCLUSION: Mandarin-speaking children with CIs exhibit significant improvements in early auditory and language development. Though these improvements followed the normative developmental trajectories, they still exhibited a gap compared with normative values. Earlier implantation and higher socioeconomic status are consistent predictors of greater auditory and language skills in the early stage.