[Deviant language development following cochlear implantation? Applicability of the parent questionnaire ELFRA-2].
BACKGROUND
The parent questionnaire ELFRA-2 is considered a valid tool for early detection of delayed language development in 2-year-old children. Applicability for children treated with cochlear implants (CI) is to be investigated.


METHODS
By means of the ELFRA-2 we documented longitudinally for up to 24 months post implantation language development in 27 children treated before 3 years of age. The critical developmental criteria (related to age) were applied to CI children (related to duration of CI use) and gender-related normative data were taken as a reference.


RESULTS
Only two boys were identified as showing a language delay after 2 years of CI use. However, using normative data 11-44% of the children performed below average. Development in girls was faster than in boys. The influence of preoperative hearing experience declined over time.


CONCLUSIONS
The critical developmental criteria of ELFRA-2 have proved to be unreliable for the identification of varying development after CI. Modified and gender-related evaluation is necessary.
Reichmuth
K
K
Klinik und Poliklinik für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster. Karen.Reichmuth@uni-muenster.de
Nickisch
A
A
Matulat
P
P
Fiori
A
A
Swart
J
J
Elixmann-Mittler
K
K
Voigtmann
V
V
Döring
W
W
Stollenwerk
A
A
Lesinski-Schiedat
A
A
von der Haar-Heise
S
S
Knief
A
A
am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen
A
A
D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014825:Vocabulary