Abstract
BackgroundCognitive abilities like language, memory, reasoning, visualization, and perceptual functioning shape human action and are considered critical to the successful interaction with the environment. Alternatively, hearing loss can disrupt a child’s ability to communicate, and negatively impact cognitive development. Cochlear implants (CI) restore auditory input thereby supporting communication and may enhance cognitive performance. This study compares general cognitive development after cochlear implantation (2017–2019) in two groups of Jordanian children implanted earlier (age:4–6 years, N = 22) and later (7–9 years, N = 16) to the development of randomly selected normal hearing peers (N = 48).DesignVisualization, reasoning, memory, and attention were assessed using the Leiter-R scale at baseline (before implantation), 8 months and 16 months post implantation for children with hearing loss. Same times of testing (baseline, 8 months and 16 months) were used for normal hearing peers.ResultsOver the 16-month period, the cognitive improvement of 4–6-year-old deaf children was greater than that of their normal hearing peers on the scales of visualization (5.62 vs. 4.40), reasoning (2.53 vs. 2.38) and memory (17.19 vs. 11.67). while the improvement of 7–9-year-old was less major than that of their normal hearing peers on all scales.ConclusionsThese results suggest that CI not only enhances communication skills but may improve cognitive functioning in deaf children. However, the extent of this improvement was dependent on age at intervention; current results demonstrated that the children received CI at young ages had better cognitive improvements.
Highlights
Cognitive abilities like language, memory, reasoning, visualization, and perceptual functioning shape human action and are considered critical to the successful interaction with the environment
Over the 16-month period, the cognitive improvement of 4–6-year-old deaf children was greater than that of their normal hearing peers on the scales of visualization (5.62 vs. 4.40), reasoning (2.53 vs. 2.38) and memory (17.19 vs. 11.67). while the improvement of 7–9-year-old was less major than that of their normal hearing peers on all scales. These results suggest that Cochlear implants (CI) enhances communication skills but may improve cognitive functioning in deaf children
The extent of this improvement was dependent on age at intervention; current results demonstrated that the children received CI at young ages had better cognitive improvements
Summary
There were statistical associations in demographics between CI and NH groups as measured by running Chi-square tests for comparing groups [P > 0.05]. Some children [60.5%] reported a GPA [grade point average] in the school of 80–89% [very good]. There were statistical associations in parents’ information between NH group and CI group as measured by running the Chi-square tests [P > 0.05]. The normal and deaf participants were similar in all groups by age, gender, area of living, school type, status of living with parents, child’s GPA [Grade Point Average], family yearly income, eating breakfast, sleeping hours and parents’ occupation, level of education and smoking status.
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