[The effect of cochlear implantation on voice development].
OBJECTIVE
The effect of cochlear implantation on voice development in prelingually deaf children was investigated.


METHODS
The study included 60 prelingually deaf children (28 girls, 32 boys; mean age 68 months; range 37 to 128 months) who underwent cochlear implantation. Voice analyses were made between 6 to 21 months after the first fitting and six months after the baseline. The patients were divided into two groups (i) according to age (younger or older than 48 months) and (ii) to the duration of implant use (more or less than 18 months) to observe the changes in fundamental frequency (F(0)), and two formant frequencies (F(1) and F(2)). Forty-seven children (22 girls, 25 boys; mean age 62 months; range 38 to 118 months) with normal speech and language development comprised the control group. In all the cases, F(0), F(1), and F(2) values of the vowel /a/ were studied.


RESULTS
In the patient group, F(0) and F(2) values significantly differed between the first and second voice analyses, whereas the change in F(1) values was insignificant. No significant differences were found in terms of F(0), F(1) and F(2) values between the patients younger than 48 months and age-matched controls; however, F(0) and F(1) values significantly differed in those older than 48 months while F(2) values remained insignificant. Albeit statistically insignificant, F(0), F(1), and F(2) values approximated normal levels in children in whom the duration of implant use exceeded 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms that early cochlear implantation and longer implant use result in improved development of voice, speech, and language.
Cerçi
Uğur
U
Department of Otolaryngology, Izmir Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Kandoğan
Tolga
T
Olgun
Levent
L
Gültekin
Gürol
G
Alper
Sezaver
S
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003638:Deafness / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014831:Voice