Understanding of instruction in case of congenitally deafness and cochlear implants on both sides

Introduction Understanding of instruction is closely related to learning success in school, because verbal instructions have to be understood in order to be able to fulfill various kinds of performance requirements. How well do congenitally deaf children with cochlear implants (CI) on both sides develop this ability until enrollment?

Method The results in the subtest "Instructional Understanding" from the Marburger Sprachverständnistest für Kinder of 130 children aged between 59 and 86 months were evaluated retrospectively. All children were congenitally deaf on both sides and simultaneously bilaterally supplied with CI. The evaluation is carried out by comparing the percentages of three groups, due to age at implantation: • Gr.1 N = 64 with a median implantation age (MIA) of 9 months [minimum-maximum 5-12 months] • Gr.2 N = 52 with an MIA of 18 months [minimum-maximum 13- 24 months] • Gr.3 N = 15 with a MIA of 29 months [minimum-maximum 25- 36 months]

Results In comparison of the mean values, there is no significant difference between Gr.1 and Gr.2. On average, they achieve a percentile rank comparable to the hearing children of the standardization group. Gr.3 is significantly worse than Gr.1 and Gr.2. The understanding of instruction of these children is below average in comparison to hearing peers.

Conclusion Congenitally deaf children after simultaneously bilateral CI within the first two years of life are able to develop a proper understanding of instruction up to school age. Simultaneously bilateral CI after second year of life lead to worse chances.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020