Comparison between Nonverbal Skills of Hearing-Impaired Children Using Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid

This study aimed to determine whether children with cochlear implant in comparison with normal hearing children have delay and disorder in nonverbal skills as well as speech. In addition, whether cochlear implant surgery impact on the progress of these skills. In this study, 60 children under 7 years old both boys and girls were examined via non-random sampling. This group comprises 20 children with cochlear implant (CLs), 20 children with hearing aids (HAs) and 20 age-matched normal hearing children. Communication skills were assessed using the Emory Dyssemia Index which includes verbal, nonverbal and paralinguistic aspects. Moreover, to assess and compare data, ANOVA Variance-analysis and Tukey test were employed. Statistical analysis with an error of less than one percent and significant difference of P<0/000 showed that nonverbal communication skills in hearing impaired children with cochlear implant are better than hearing aid users with severe to profound hearing loss, also in comparison with these children, they have better social communication and act the same as normal hearing children in some skills. By improving their hearing, children can be exposed to social communication and instruction. Therefore, their verbal and nonverbal skills will improve. Also, it is suggested that in a natural manner, parents should expose their hearing impaired children to appropriate verbal and nonverbal stimuli similar to normal hearing children.