Adequate formal language performance in unilateral cochlear implanted children: is it indicative of complete recovery in all linguistic domains? Insights from referential communication.
OBJECTIVE
Referential communication (RC) is a key element in achieving a successful communication. This case series aimed to evaluate RC in children with unilateral cochlear implants (CIs) with formal language skills within the normal range.


METHODS
A total of 31 children with CIs, with language development within the normal range, were assessed using the Pragmatic Language Skills test (MEDEA).


RESULTS
Of the children with CIs, 83.9% reached performance levels appropriate for their chronological ages. The results confirmed a positive effect of cochlear implantation on RC development, although difficulties remained in some CI users.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcomes emphasize the need to pay greater attention to the pragmatic aspects of language, assessing them with adequate testing in the early phase after cochlear implantation. Clear knowledge of children's communicative competence is the key in optimizing their communicative environments in order to create the basis for future successful interpersonal exchanges and social integration.
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: p.mancini@uniroma1.it.
Patrizia
P
Mancini
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Hilal
H
Dincer D'Alessandro
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Guglielmo da Saliceto" Hospital, Via Cantone del Cristo 40, 29121 Piacenza, Italy.
Letizia
L
Guerzoni
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "Guglielmo da Saliceto" Hospital, Via Cantone del Cristo 40, 29121 Piacenza, Italy.
Domenico
D
Cuda
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Ruoppolo
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Angela
A
Musacchio
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Alessia
A
Di Mario
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Elio
E
De Seta
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Ersilia
E
Bosco
Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Maria
M
Nicastri
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D014705:Verbal Behavior
Children; Cochlear implant; Deafness; Pragmatics; Referential communication