Comparative executive function analysis: Cochlear implants and normal hearing in 7- to 11-year-old children from Iran

Abstract

Objective

This study compares executive functioning in deaf children with cochlear implants and those with normal hearing. Individuals who lacked auditory stimulation during their early years might experience cognitive challenges that extend beyond just speech and language abilities.

Methods

The executive functioning abilities of a group of 32 children who were born deaf and received cochlear implants before the age of 7 were contrasted with those of 30 children with normal hearing. Both sets of children underwent assessments using the Tower of London, BRIEF, and Stroop tests.

Results

The average score on the Tower of London task reveals that children who received cochlear implants (4.03 ± 2.53) achieved lower scores than typically hearing children (8.37 ± 2.79). This group also exhibited higher errors in the Stroop test and slightly longer response times Additionally, in terms of emotional control assessed by the BRIEF, a higher score was recorded. Notably, significant differences between the two groups were identified for organizing materials (t(62) = −4.204, p = 0.00). The tests measuring phonemic fluency, categorical fluency, and working memory also revealed significant differences.

Conclusions

The significant differences in data between both groups suggest the influence of cochlear implantation on cognitive functions. This emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to supporting the overall development of these children.

Keywords:

• Executive functions
• Cochlear implantation
• Tower of London
• Children
• Hearing loss

Acknowledgment

The authors express their gratitude to the Clinical Research Development Unit at Shafa Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences. They also extend their appreciation to Dr. Maryam Aamizadeh and Jila Afsharmanesh for their valuable contributions in terms of editorial and statistical support.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors: None

Funding: None

Conflict of interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval: None

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Parisa Divsalar

Parisa Divsalar, Associate professor, Fellowships of Psychosomatic from Tehran University, Faculty member of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, with 17 years of work experience.

Masoud Radman

Masoud Radman, Otorhinolaryngologist, Assistant professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

Leila Pourhosseinali

Leili Pourhosseinali, Psychiatrist and lecturer at Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.

Mahin Eslami-Shahrbabaki

Mahin Eslami-Shahrbabaki, Subspecialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, Associate professor and Faculty member of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, with 30 years of work experience.

Maryam Aamizadeh

Maryam Aamizadeh, Fellowships of neurotology from the medical University of Iran, Associate professor, Faculty member of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, with 20 years of work experience.

Jila Afsharmanesh

Zhila Afsharmanesh, is an MSc of audiology and works at Shafa Hospital in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.