Comparison of memory and meta-memory abilities of children with cochlear implant and normal hearing peers.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed (1) to compare visual memory and meta-memory abilities, including the use of strategies as context, of children with cochlear implant (CI) and children with normal hearing; (2) to examine the concurrent and construct validity of 'The Contextual Memory Test for Children' (CMT-CH).


METHODS
Twenty children with CI and 20 children with normal hearing, aged 8-10 years, participated in this study. Memory abilities were measured by two subtests of the Children's Memory Scale (CMS) and by CMT-CH, which also measures meta-memory abilities.


RESULTS
Children with CI scored significantly lower in both tests of memory and meta-memory and showed less efficient use of context to memorise. Significant positive correlations were found between CMS and CMT-CH memory tests in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual memory and meta-memory abilities may be impaired in children with CI. Evaluation and intervention for children with CI should refer to their memory and meta-memory abilities in order to measure the outcomes of CIs, and enhance language development academic achievements. Although more studies on CMT-CH should be performed, the CMT-CH may be used for the evaluation of visual memory of children with CI.
Engel-Yeger
Batya
B
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel. batya@research.haifa.ac.il
Durr
Doris H
DH
Josman
Naomi
N
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003638:Deafness / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D012016:Reference Values; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*