CHILD’S COMMUNICATIVE STATUS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AT PRECOCHLEAR IMPLANT ASSESSMENT.

Abstract

Background/aim: Language deprivation can occur during the first five years of life. Hearing impairment is one of the major causes of language deprivation and it has high prevalence in Pakistan. Cochlear implants, a neuro-prothesis is used to treat hearing impairment, prior to its implementation. Fitness from a multi-disciplinary team is recommended. Our study will highlight child’s communicative status and associated factors at the time of pre-cochlear implant speech therapy assessment.

Material and Methods: A questionnaire and informal speech therapy clinical assessment was administered to collect data from the parents and children coming for pre-cochlear implant communication fitness assessment in Speech Therapy Department, Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Pakistan. Data collection took almost 15-20 mins. SPSS was used for evaluation.

Results: 93% of the children did not undergo hearing aid and speech habilitation trail before proceeding to cochlear implant .Most of the children were using distinct expressive skills to communicate and had age appropriate play skills, these skills can help design appropriate speech therapy goals post cochlear implant speech therapy. 10 % of the children had oro-motor deficits. P value was significant for Socio economic status, mother education and linguistic background.

Conclusion: Children had adapted communication skills even with hearing loss, this was compensated by strategies like lip reading and play skill. Hence, strength and deficits of hearing impaired children considering oro-motor deficit and prior adequate therapeutic trail should be considered during post and pre cochlear implant speech therapy.

Key words: Cochlear implant, speech therapy, communication patterns