Abstract :
Objective: 1. To assess the outcome of auditory verbal therapy in prelingually deaf children who underwent cochlear implantation. 2. To assess the effect of age at cochlear implantation on language development outcomes.
Materials and Methods: 40 post cochlear implantation patients implanted at P.D.U. medical college and hospital, Rajkot receiving auditory verbal therapy at regular intervals were studied for hearing and speech development. The children were divided into 2 groups-
Results: Among the 40 patients, 18 were below 4 years of age and 22 children were above 4 years of age; 28 male and 12 female children were present. The average CAP scores in the
Conclusion: Statistically significant benefits are seen in hearing and speech abilities as well as in quality of life. Earlier the age of the child at time of implantation, better is the auditory and speech outcome. Only implantation will not suffice, but adequate and timely post implantation hearing and speech training can help patients make greatest use of their cochlear implantation.
Keyword :
Cochlear Implantation, Age at implantation, Auditory Verbal Therapy, CAP score, SIR score.