Speech perception in pre-lingual and post-lingual cochlear implantees

Abstract

Objective: To assess speech perception results in both pre-lingual and post-lingual deafened cochlear implantees. Methods: A retrospective analysis of data available from two groups of cochlear implanted patients. The first group; included 6 pre-lingual cochlear implantees; was assessed for closed-set speech perception at different intervals following cochlear implantation. The auditory response to speech was assessed using the Listening Progress Profile (LiP). The second group; included 7 post-lingual cochlear implantees; was assessed for closed-set and open-set speech perception at different intervals following cochlear implantation. The Minimal Auditory Capabilities Test (MAC Test) was administered for monitoring the auditory progress in this group of patients. Result: In the first group the “response to sounds” ranged from 90% to 100% one year after cochlear implantation, while the score for “discrimination between sounds” ranged from 6% to 100%. In the second group the ability of the patients to identify vowels and consonants ranged from 80% to 100% post-implantation, while their ability to recognize high context sentences ranged from 12% to 100% for all the patients except one case. Conclusion: Congenitally deaf children who receive cochlear implants before the age of 5 years have significant closed-set speech perception abilities. The majority of post-lingual cochlear implant patients derive substantial benefit from their devices. Key words: Cochlear implant, speech perception, pre-lingual deafness, post-lingual deafness.