Comparison of acoustic analysis of voice parameters in children with cochlear implants and normal hearing

Abstract

Context: Auditory feedback controls segmental and non-segmental features of speech. The lack of auditory feedback in children with impaired hearing affects voice, speech production and speech perception skills. In children using hearing aids or cochlear implants, better auditory feedback is seen and thus voice and speech skills are improved. The present study looks at the comparison of voice parameters in children with cochlear implants and those with normal hearing. Aims: The study aims to compare voice parameters across a group of male and female children with cochlear implant and normal hearing. Study Design: The design of the study was cross sectional with one time evaluation of the objective voice parameters. Method and Materials: The 15 children with cochlear implant were of the mean age 3.99 years and 1.5 of hearing age for males and mean age of 4.39 years and 1.4 years of hearing age for females. The control group with normal hearing had 30 children with a mean age of 3.81 years. The two groups were evaluated for their voice parameters with MDVP 5105 software of CSL instrument, for sustained vowel /a/. Statistical Analysis: Mean, SD, t-test and significance of variance (p<0.05) were done to compare the voice parameters across both groups of gender. Results: Results showed that significant differences (<0.05) were seen in parameters mean fundamental frequency, perturbation and shimmer among females and including jitter for males when both groups were compared. VTI = Voice turbulence index; SPI = Soft phonation index did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: The study concludes that with early intervention and training, the children with cochlear implants are able to achieve normal voice parameters though the range of variability is higher compared to normal hearing children.