SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWING COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION IN PRE-LINGUALLY DEAF CHILDREN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.5998Keywords:
Cochlear Implantation, Pre-lingual Deafness, Speech Intelligibility, Language Development, Early vs Late Intervention, Receptive VocabularyAbstract
Background: Pre-lingual deafness significantly affects the natural development of speech and language due to early auditory deprivation. Cochlear implantation is an effective intervention; however, the age at implantation plays a crucial role in determining communication outcomes. Delayed implantation, particularly after five years of age, may limit optimal language acquisition due to reduced neural plasticity. Objective: This study aimed to compare speech and language outcomes in pre-lingually deaf children who received cochlear implants before and after the age of five years. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted over 12 months at the University of Lahore. A total of 14 children with pre-lingual deafness were selected through purposive sampling and divided into two groups: early implantation (1–5 years) and late implantation (after 5 years). Speech outcomes were assessed using the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scale, while language development was evaluated through the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT). Data were analyzed using SPSS, and group comparisons were made to determine statistical significance. Results: Children who underwent early cochlear implantation demonstrated significantly better speech intelligibility and receptive vocabulary scores compared to those implanted after five years. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between earlier implantation and improved outcomes (p < 0.05). Although children with late implantation showed noticeable improvements, their performance remained comparatively lower. Conclusion: Cochlear implantation after five years of age results in measurable gains in speech and language abilities; however, early implantation yields superior outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention to optimize communication development in pre-lingually deaf children.
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