Voice acoustic characteristics of children with late-onset cochlear implantation: Correlation to auditory performance

Abstract

Objectives

To study the voice acoustic parameters of congenitally deaf children with delayed access to sounds due to late-onset cochlear implantation and to correlate their voice characteristics with their auditory performance.

Methods

The study included 84 children: a control group consisting of 50 children with normal hearing and normal speech development; and a study group consisting of 34 paediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients who had suffered profound hearing loss since birth. According to speech recognition scores and pure-tone thresholds, the study group was further subdivided into two subgroups: 24 children with excellent auditory performance and 10 children with fair auditory performance. The mean age at the time of implantation was 3.6 years for excellent auditory performance group and 3.2 years for fair auditory performance group. Voice acoustic analysis was conducted on all study participants.

Results

Analysis of voice acoustic parameters revealed a statistically significant delay in both study groups in comparison to the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two study groups.

Discussion

Interestingly, in both excellent and fair performance study groups, the gap in comparison to normal hearing children was still present. While late-implanted children performed better on segmental perception (e.g. word recognition), suprasegmental perception (e.g. as demonstrated by objective acoustic voice analysis) did not progress to the same extent.

Conclusion

On the suprasegmental speech performance level, objective acoustic voice measurements demonstrated a significant delay in the suprasegmental speech performance of children with late-onset CI, even those with excellent auditory performance.

Keywords:

• Congenitally deaf children
• Late-onset cochlear implant children
• Acoustic voice analysis
• Segmental and suprasegmental speech perception

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mahmoud M. Mahrous

Mahmoud M. Mahrous, consultant of audio-vestibular medicine at KFHU, Imam Abdelrahman Bin Faisal University, KSA. Lecturer of audio-vestibular medicine, Otolaryngology Department, Ain-Shams University, Egypt. Active researcher in the field of audio-vestibular medicine especially tinnitus, dizziness, and cochlear implantation. Published many articles in international journals such as Cochlear Implants Int., Egypt J Otolaryngol, Acta Otolaryngol., Audiol Neurotol. and European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. Reviewer in Audiol Neurotol. J. Actively participated in and spoken at many international conferences. Was a member of the scientific committee of the IFOS Dubai ENT World Congress 2023.

Ahmed A. Abdelgoad

Ahmed A. Abdelgoad, received his doctorate degree in Phoniatrics from Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt in 2011. Received his Master's degree in Phoniatrics from the University of Ain-Shams, Cairo, Egypt in 2005. Currently an assistant professor in the Speech and language pathology unit, ENT department at King Fahad Hospital of the University (Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Published with his colleagues seven papers in the Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology (EJO) since 2013. Developed and standardized an assessment tool in Arabic called the Arabic speech intelligibility test for children on 2011 and his special concern also in the voice and swallowing disorders assessment and management.

Nithreen M. Said

Nithreen M. Said, a professor of Audiovestibular medicine in Ain Shams University and working in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Published many articles in international journals and reviewer in some international journals as Audiology Neurootology J, International J of pediatric otorhinolaryngology.

Laila M. Telmesani

Laila M. Telmesani, a professor and consultant otologist and neurotologist of Saudi Arabia. Established the cochlear implant unit in one of the biggest tertiary hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Active in running researches in otology and ENT issues and advancements. Spearheaded the temporal bone dissection laboratory and has been organizing its annual workshop since 2006. Passionate in helping patients with hearing problems specially the pediatric group.

Danah F. Alrusayyis

Danah F. Alrusayyis, a resident in Otolaryngology Head and neck surgery and aspiring researcher.