Implants and developmental delays

Doctors shouldn't wait to give implants to children with developmental delays. That's the advice of Stanford researchers who say their findings show implants could substantially benefit babies that have indications of mental retardation later in life. These children’s intellectual development would be helped, the researchers say, even if they never learn to speak. Details are in the August issue of Otology & Neurotology. The research now moves to a systematic look of whether cochlear implants benefit a large cross-section of developmentally delayed deaf children. This effort is being funded by the National Institutes of Health.