Children with cochlear implants are more likely than hearing children to have developmental delays--as much as five times more likely. That's according to a study by Indiana University researchers. they say the difficulties include memory, planning and conceptual learning. Study coauthor William G. Kronenberger said:
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| William G. Kronenberger |
"Cochlear implants produce remarkable gains in spoken language and other neurocognitive skills, but there is a certain amount of learning and catch-up that needs to take place with children who have experienced a hearing loss prior to cochlear implantation. So far, most of the interventions to help with this learning have focused on speech and language. Our findings show a need to identify and help some children in certain domains of executive functioning as well.We are now looking for early markers in children who are at risk before they get implants."
Details are in the Journal of the American Medical Association Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery. Read more about the study here.
