Development of audiovisual integration in children with cochlear implant within 18 months of implantation

Abstract

Objective

The main objective of the study was to investigate the development of audiovisual integration in children with cochlear implant (CI) within 18 months of implantation.

Method

The development of audiovisual integration was assessed in 37 cochlear implant recipients between the age of 3–7 years. They were divided into three groups based on their implant age. The groups were as follows, Group 1 consisted of 10 participants with an implant age of 0–6 months, Group 2 consisted of 15 participants with an implant age of 7–12 months and Group 3 consisted of 12 participants with an implant age of 13–18 months.

Result

The scores showed that as the implant age increases there is a gradual increase in the perception of auditory alone, audiovisual congruent and incongruent tokens. However, the participants did not have consistent fusion responses (McGurk response).

Conclusion

The findings from the study suggest that the development of bimodal fusion responses to incongruent tokens is still progressing with implant age.

Keywords:

• Cochlear implant
• implant age
• audiovisual integration
• McGurk effect
• incongruent stimulus

Acknowledgement

The authors hereby acknowledge the principal and director of our institution for permitting to conduct the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.