Evaluation of the language development of children with cochlear implant users living in a multilingual environment. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yorgancılar, Argün Ediz; Sizer, Bilal
• Is Part Of: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Volume 152(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Multilingual -- Cochlear implant -- Language -- Children; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Oto-rhino-laryngologie -- Périodiques; Pédiatrie -- Périodiques; 618.9209751
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.111007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-5876

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effect of second language exposure on Turkish speaking skills in cochlear implant (CI) users. Methods: Children living in mono and bilingual families, who underwent unilateral cochlear implant due to congenital severe to profound, or profound hearing loss, were examined. The fifty six children with a chronological age younger than 8 and a language age of 2–6 years were included the study. The Denver II Developmental Screening Test was used for identifying of pre-implant speech and development. The duration of implant use was also documented. Languages spoken at the patients' homes were divided into 4 categories: T/K: Predominantly Turkish/Kurdish, K/T: Predominantly Kurdish/Turkish, T/T: Just Turkish, A/T: Predominantly Arabic/Turkish. The CAP (Categories of Auditory Performance), SIR (Speech Intelligibility Rating), The Turkish Version Test of The Early Language Development (TELD-3:T), . The IT-MAIS (Infant Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale), MUSS (Meaningful Use of Speech Scale) were used to evaluate the language development of the patients. Changes in IT-MAIS and MUSS scores in the last two years were also evaluated. Results: The all children received their implants before age of 6 years. The average duration of cochlear implant use of children was 38, 43 ± 11, 64 months. The mean pre-implant speech age was 6, 8 ± 2, 13 months. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the CAP and SIR scores. In TELD-3:T scores, there was no significant difference between the groups except for the receptive raw scores. The Arabic/Turkish group had significantly lower receptive raw scores. This group also had significantly lower mother educational level. In IT-MAIS and MUSS scores, no significant difference was found between the groups. Conclusions: Our study supports the opinion that exposure to a second language at home does not affect the acquisition of the language of education in children using CI.