Correlation between Auditory Spectral Resolution and Speech Perception in Children with Cochlear Implants.

BACKGROUND: Variability in speech performance is a major concern for children with cochlear implants (CIs). Spectral resolution is an important acoustic component in speech perception. Considerable variability and limitations of spectral resolution in children with CIs may lead to individual differences in speech performance. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between auditory spectral resolution and speech perception in pediatric CI users. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran, in 2017. The frequency discrimination threshold (FDT) and the spectral-temporal modulated ripple discrimination threshold (SMRT) were measured for 75 pre-lingual hearing-impaired children with CIs (age=8-12 y). Word recognition and sentence perception tests were completed to assess speech perception. The Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to determine the correlation between the variables and to determine the predictive variables of speech perception, respectively. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the SMRT and word recognition (r=0.573 and P<0.001). The FDT was significantly correlated with word recognition (r=0.487 and P<0.001). Sentence perception had a significant correlation with the SMRT and the FDT. There was a significant correlation between chronological age and age at implantation with SMRT but not the FDT. CONCLUSION: Auditory spectral resolution correlated well with speech perception among our children with CIs. Spectral resolution ability accounted for approximately 40% of the variance in speech perception among the children with CIs.

Cochlear implant outcomes in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Comparison with controls.

OBJECTIVES: The coincidence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hearing loss in the children has adverse effects in speech, cognition, communication and motor development. This can influence cochlear implant (CI) outcomes negatively. The aim of this study was to compare auditory, language, speech, cognition, communication and motor outcomes between CI children with versus without ADHD. METHODS: Nineteen CI children with ADHD and twenty-three age and gender matched children without ADHD at the Shiraz CI center ranging in age from 37 to 60 months were participated in this cross-sectional study. The developmental quotient in auditory, receptive and expressive language, speech and cognition skills was evaluated through Newsha Developmental Scale. The Persian version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used to assess children's developmental status in fine and gross movements, communication, problem solving, and personal-social domains. A comparison of the results between two groups was made by the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: CI children with ADHD had significantly lower Newsha developmental quotients in cases of auditory, receptive and expressive language, speech and cognition skills compared to the control group (P = 0.027 to <0.001). A significant difference was observed between children with and without ADHD in fine and gross movements, communication, problem solving, and personal-social domains of ASQ at 60 months (P = 0.029 to 0.003). CONCLUSION: Children with ADHD showed decreased ability in auditory, language, speech, cognition, motor and communication skills following CI compared to children without ADHD. It can guide clinician to provide these children with more specific rehabilitation program to improve their skills.

Aural rehabilitation in children with cochlear implants: a study of cognition, social communication, and motor skill development.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of aural rehabilitation on the development of cognition, social communication, and motor skills in children with cochlear implants. METHODS: The study examined the development of cognition, social communication, and motor skills in 15 deaf children (7 males, 8 females; mean age 45 months 27 days) using the Newsha Developmental Scale before they received the cochlear implants, and then again 2, 4, 6, and 8 months after the implantation. The developmental age, Pretest Developmental Rate, Intervention Efficiency Index, and Proportional Change Index were calculated for each skill. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the preintervention and four follow-up Developmental Rate assessments for cognition, social communication, and motor skills (P < 0.0001). Significant differences were also observed between the four follow-up Proportional Change Index assessments for cognition, social communication, and motor skills (P ≤ 0.005). CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation and aural rehabilitation may result in accelerated rates of cognition, social communication, and motor skill development in deaf children.

Effects of parents' level of education and economic status on the age at cochlear implantation in children.

INTRODUCTION: Cochlear implantation can facilitate the development of communication skills in children with profound hearing loss. The objectives of our study were to determine the average ages at suspicion and diagnosis of hearing loss, amplification, intervention, and performing the cochlear implantation and to investigate the effects of the parents' level of education and economic circumstances on the age of the child at cochlear implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The parents of 96 children with profound sensorineural hearing loss who had received a cochlear implant at Amir-Alam Cochlear Implant Center between 2008 and 2010 were asked to complete a survey. The survey included demographic information, and birth, medical, and hearing loss history of their child. Study data were obtained through the patient database in the Cochlear Implant Center and interviews with the parents. RESULTS: The mean times between the age of the children at diagnosis of hearing loss and amplification, beginning the rehabilitation program, and performing the cochlear implantation were 4.05 (±0.86), 2.59 (±0.9), and 25.43 (±1.45) months, respectively; delays that were statistically significant (P≤0.004). In 47.9 percent of cases, the parents were the first people to suspect the occurrence of hearing loss in their child. Statistical analysis indicated that the age at cochlear implantation decreases as the educational level of the parents increases (P≤0.003). There was also a significant difference between parents' economic circumstances and the age of cochlear implantation (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: There is still a remarkable delay between the diagnosis of hearing loss and aural rehabilitation in hearing-impaired children. Parents' levels of education and economic circumstances have a noticeable effect on the age of cochlear implantation in hearing-impaired children.