The similarities and differences of mandarin open-set word recognition between cochlear implant children and normal hearing children

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the ability of open-set word recognition in cochlear implant (CI) children,and compare the similarities and difference of open-set word recognition between CI children and normal hearing(NH) children.Method:This study included 485 children with CI and 162 children with NH, who completed the Mandarin lexical neighborhood test. The results for children at 1-8 years after receiving their CI were compared to those from the children with NH using analysis of variance.Result:There were significant differences in open-set word recognition between the CI and NH groups(P<0.05).For implantation before 2 years, there was no significant difference in recognition at the ages of 6-7 years,compared to 3-year-old children with NH, or at the age of 10 years, compared to 6-year-old children with NH(P>0.05).For implantation before 3 years, there was no significant difference in recognition at the ages of 8-9 years, compared to 3-year-old children with NH,or at the age of 10 years, compared to 6-year-old children with NH(P>0.05).For implantation after 3 years, there was a significant difference in recognition at the age of 13 years,compared to 3-year-old children with NH(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mandarin open-set word recognition increased with time after CI.Chinese children with CI had delayed but similar development of recognition, compared to normal children. Early CI can shorten the gap between children with CI and normal children.