Early intervention intensity and language outcomes for children using cochlear implants

ABSTRACT

Measurement of optimum treatment efficacy to address language delays in children using cochlear implants is difficult, but important, to promote evidence-based treatments and reduce treatment inequities. This exploratory retrospective study investigated associations between; frequency of early intervention (weekly, fortnightly, monthly); total dose (calculated in hours over a year); and child involvement in family activities on language outcomes for 42 pediatric cochlear implant recipients enrolled in aural/oral programs. Parents who attended the Cochlear Implant Clinic completed the Family and Educational Characteristics Questionnaires (FamEd-Q) at each post-operative review, and their children completed formal language assessments. Family and child demographic characteristics were collated. Children whose parents reported lower doses (in hours) of early intervention demonstrated better expressive language skills than children who received more intervention, but this result was confounded by other underlying differences between groups regarding age-at-first-implant and cognitive function. Additionally, children from families with greater relative socio-economic advantage tended to receive more frequent intervention sessions. Of practical significance, greater levels of child involvement in family activities were associated with higher child language scores.

KEYWORDS:

• Cochlear implants
• child language outcomes
• early intervention
• intensity of service
• child involvement in family activities
• dose and frequency of early intervention
• age at first implant
• cognitive function

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the children and families, speech pathologists and staff at the Cochlear Implant Clinic, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Cindy Chu completed a Master of Speech Pathology at The University of Melbourne, Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology (UniMelb DASP).

Shani Dettman is presently Senior Lecturer at UniMelb DASP with a focus on paediatric cochlear implant research, provision of lectures and supervision of Masters and PhD students. Shani's ongoing research has been supported by collaboration with the Cochlear Implant Clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and partnerships with the HEARing CRC and affiliated early intervention providers.

Dawn Choo completed a Master of Speech Pathology at The University of Melbourne, Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology (UniMelb DASP). Dawn's ongoing research has been supported by collaboration with the Cochlear Implant Clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and partnerships with the HEARing CRC and affiliated early intervention providers.

ORCID

Cindy Chu http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4053-9196

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by HEARing CRC.