Spoken Language Improves After Cochlear Implantation in Young Children

Most young children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss are treated with cochlear implants. Early implantation might enhance neuronal flexibility during a critical period of auditory learning, but prospective studies of spoken language after cochlear implantation are lacking. Researchers prospectively assessed spoken language development after cochlear implantation in 188 young children (age, <5 years; mean age, 2.2 years) from six implant centers in the U.S. Performance on spoken language comprehension and expression was measured with the Reynell Developmental Language Scales at ages 6, 12, 24, and 39 months after implant activation and was compared with performance in a reference group of 97 preschool children with normal h…