Effect of Aural Rehabilitation on Speech and Cognition Development in Children with Cochlear Implant

Cochlear implant (CI) and aural rehabilitation result in speech and cognition skills development of children with hearing impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate effect of aural rehabilitation on speech and cognition development in children using cochlear implant. In this longitudinal study, parents of 15 hearing impaired children (m.a. 45.27 mo) who received CI in AmirAlam CI center between August 2010 and January 2011 were asked by Newsha developmental scale. Assessments were performed before CI operation and then again every 2 months for a period of 8 months after implantation. Developmental age of children in each of speech and cognition skills was determined. Then Pretest Developmental Rate, Intervention Efficiency Index and Proportional Change Index were calculated. A significant difference was observed among Pretest Developmental Rate in the pre intervention and 4 follow up assessments in each of speech and cognition skills (P<0/0001). There had not been a significant difference among the 4 follow up assessments of Intervention Efficiency Index in speech skill (P=0/210). There was a significant difference among the 4 follow up assessments of Intervention Efficiency Index in cognition skill (P<0/0001). There had been also a significant difference among the 4 follow up assessments of Proportional Change Index in each of speech and cognition skills (P<0/0001). Aural rehabilitation can facilitate speech and cognition development of children with CI which in turn makes possible achievement of age-appropriate developmental levels.