Description:

Optimizing Early Communication Outcomes with Cochlear Implants Using Spoken Language

Andrea Warner-Czyz, PhD, CCC-A

Assistant Professor
The University of Texas at Dallas
Callier Advanced Hearing Research Center

Parents and professionals who work with pediatric cochlear implant users must select the best communication approach to optimize communication skills. This involves a decision as to whether spoken language skills best develop by focusing on the auditory speech signal or whether early exposure to an unambiguous visual language provides an important foundation for learning a spoken language. A nationwide longitudinal study provides empirical evidence regarding the decision as to whether children with cochlear implants who have parents with typical hearing should begin their communication experience with exposure to sign. Results show pediatric implant users without sign exposure outperform those with long-term sign exposure (>2 years post-implant) on speech intelligibility and spoken language tasks in elementary school. These findings should serve as a powerful evidence-based counseling tool for families, particularly those whose native language is spoken versus signed, as they select a communication approach to enhance their child’s acquisition of spoken communication skills.