The Impact of Cumulative Cochlear Implant Wear Time on Spoken Language Outcomes at Age 3 Years

• Published in: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research language, and hearing research, 2021-04, Vol.64 (4), p.1369-1375
• Main Authors: Gagnon, Erika B, Eskridge, Hannah, Brown, Kevin D, Park, Lisa R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Assistive Technology; Auditory system; Children; Children & youth; Cochlear implants; Developmental Delays; Ears & hearing; Health aspects; Hearing; Hearing Impairments; Language; Language acquisition; Language Skills; Language Tests; Learning outcomes; Listening Comprehension; Multiple Regression Analysis; Oral Language; Parents & parenting; Pediatrics; Preschool Children; Questionnaires; Retention; Speech; Speech production; Spoken language; Standard scores; Time; Time use; Transplants & implants; Vocabulary Development; Young Children
• ISSN: 1092-4388; 1558-9102
• DOI: 10.1044/2020_JSLHR-20-00567

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of cumulative hearing hour percentage (HHP) on pediatric cochlear implant users' speech and language development at age 3 years and to determine an evidence-based wear time recommendation that yields typical spoken language standard scores. Method: A retrospective chart review of 40 pediatric cochlear implant recipients was completed. Children met the following criteria: prelingually deafened, implanted at age 2 years or younger, utilized a speech processor with datalogging capabilities, a minimum of 1 year of cochlear implant use, and language testing completed at approximately age 3 years. Exclusion criteria included significant inner ear malformation (i.e., common cavity) or developmental delay that would preclude spoken language development. Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that age and implantation and HHP were predictive of spoken language skills at age 3 years. Further analysis yielded wear time recommendations associated with age-appropriate spoken language based on the age at implantation. Conclusions: When the goal is age-appropriate spoken language, wear time recommendations should reflect a child's current age, age at implantation, and the comparative daily sound access of age-matched normal-hearing peers. The HHP measurement can help provide that information. The minimum wear time recommendation should be set to 80% HHP with the ultimate goal of 100% HHP to give pediatric cochlear implant recipients enough access to sound and language to achieve their spoken language goals.