title: Speech perception in children using cochlear implants: prediction of long-term outcomes.
abstract: A group of 102 children using the Nucleus multichannel cochlear implant were assessed for open-set speech perception abilities at six-monthly intervals following implant surgery. The group included a wide range of ages, types of hearing loss, ages at onset of hearing loss, experience with implant use and communication modes. Multivariate analysis indicated that a shorter duration of profound hearing loss, later onset of profound hearing loss, exclusively oral/aural communication and greater experience with the implant were associated with better open-set speech perception. Developmental delay was associated with poorer speech perception and the SPEAK signal coding scheme was shown to provide better speech perception performance than previous signal processors. Results indicated that postoperative speech perception outcomes could be predicted with an accuracy that is clinically useful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Melbourne Cochlear Implant Clinic, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne 3002, Victoria, Australia. r.dowell@medoto.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dowell
authors.forename: Shani J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dettman
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Blamey
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Graeme M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Clark