The speech processing skills of children with cochlear implants

[摘要] This study aims to describe the speech processing skills of three children ages 6;0, 6;10 and 8;10, with cochlear implants. A psycholinguistic framework was used to profile each child'sstrengths and weaknesses, using a single case study approach. Each child's speech processingskills are described based on detailed psycholinguistically-orientated assessments. In addition,retrospective data from 1-2 years post-implantation were examined in the light of thepsycholinguistic framework in order to describe each child's development over time and inrelation to time of implantation. Results showed each child to have a unique profile of strengthsand weaknesses, and widely varying outcomes in terms of speech processing even though allthree children had the same initial difficulty (congenital bilateral hearing loss). Links betweenspeech processing and other aspects of development as well as contextual factors are discussedin relation to outcomes for each child. The case studies contribute to knowledge of speechprocessing skills in children with cochlear implants, and have clinical implications for thosewho work with children with cochlear implants and their families.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University