Do Chinese speakers need a specialized cochlear implant system?
BACKGROUND
Cochlear implants are a standard treatment option for the profoundly deaf, but have only recently become a treatment option in China. Chinese is a tonal language, and a change in the lexical tone almost always changes the meaning of a word.


METHODS
A critical review of the strategies for improving the outcome of cochlear implantation in Chinese speakers was made.


RESULTS
The introduction of cochlear implantation in China has stimulated the development of new speech perception tests, which are specific to Chinese, for adults and children. Research undertaken over the last decade in Hong Kong has demonstrated the successful acquisition of tones in adults and children who have received cochlear implants. Surgical approaches have been developed to address specific issues, including post-irradiation and infected ears. New areas of research into the enhancement of speech understanding through signal processing have been established.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings in these new areas will form the basis of a cochlear implant system for Chinese people in the near future.
Tong
Michael Chi-Fai
MC
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and the Institute of Human Communicative Research, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China. mtong@cuhk.edu.hk
Lee
Kathy Yuet-Sheung
KY
D044466:Asian People; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D011474:Prosthesis Design