Evaluation of Speech Production Skills After Unilateral Cochlear Implantation in 45 Prelingual Deaf Patients

Abstract

 Objectives: To determine speech production skills in everyday situations following unilateral Cochlear Implantation. Methods: 45 prelingual deaf patients who underwent unilateral Cochlear Implantation under B.J. Medical College Cochlear and Hearing Implant Programme from April 2007 to August 2010 were included in the study. Participants were divided into five groups on basis of age at which participants underwent implantation: ≤3 years, 3 to 6 years, 6 to 9 years, 9 to 12 years, 12 to 15 years. MUSS Questionnaire was administered before implantation unaided and at three post-implant switch-on time periods 6 months, 1 year and 2 years with Cochlear Implant alone. The study was retrospective and prospective comparative interventional type with quantitative approach. The study was based on individual children evaluated with repeated measures, each child serving as his own control. The significance of the difference between the individual preoperative and postoperative scores was evaluated using the post hoc test of repeated measure analysis. Results: Pre-op average MUSS Questionnaire score was ≤ 4/40 in all implanted age groups with scores increasing over time to attain average score ranging from 27.5 to 34.78/40 in all implanted age groups after two years of implantation. The score increased significantly (p<0.05) in all implanted age groups from pre- to post- CI. Improved ratings were found for those implanted at younger age (≤ 3 years) than those implanted later. Discussion: There is significant improvement in speech production skills after cochlear implantation which continues to improve over time, highlighting the need for continuous auditory-verbal training. This study highlights the importance of age of implantation. Better results seen in those implanted at younger age.