A study on the association of functional hearing behaviors with semantics, morphology and syntax in cochlear-implanted preschool children.

OBJECTIVES

Monitoring children's development of auditory perception, speech and language after implant programming is critical to post-implantation success. Most of the time, it is not possible to perform an evaluation in clinical conditions, and the tests administered may not provide adequate data on children's everyday functional hearing skills. Therefore, administration of functional hearing measures alongside clinical tests will present supplementary data as to both language development and functional hearing performance of children. In addition, determining demographic and environmental variables affecting functional hearing skills and language development will facilitate the implementation of countermeasures. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship of functional hearing behaviors in cochlear-implanted children with semantics, morphology and syntax, and to determine how various variables affect functional hearing and language development.

METHOD: The study was conducted with 48 cochlear implant users (24 female and 24 male) aged between 3 years and 5 years 11 months with no additional disability. The Test of Early Language Development -Third Edition (TELD-3) was administered to the children participating in the study, and the Functioning after Pediatric Cochlear Implantation (FAPCI) and the demographic information form was completed pursuant to the information provided by the parents.

RESULTS

Data analysis in accordance with our hypotheses revealed a significant relationship between semantics, morphology, syntax and functional hearing skill (p < 0.05). The results indicated that language development and functional hearing skill were positively affected by duration of implant use, duration of auditory rehabilitation and kindergarten attendance, and a negative relationship between screen time and functional hearing skill.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the FAPCI is a suitable measure for early listening development and language assessment after cochlear implantation surgery, providing supplementary data on functional hearing and language development when administered in conjunction with other tests. Many factors are affecting functional hearing and language development that determine cochlear implant success. It is important to identify these factors.