Development of Socialization in Infants With Cochlear Implants

Infant Cochlear Implants Versus Later Implantation

• Cochlear implantation has minimal risk and works best when done before 18 months, according to WebMD. In the procedure, this "bionic ear" is implanted under the skin where it can send messages to the brain along the auditory nerve

  Later implantation may be much less useful than infant cochlear implantation, according to Indiana University research published in "Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience" in 2010. In this study, researchers Peterson, Pisoni, and Miyamotoa found that long-term auditory deprivation was detrimental to normal auditory development because as time goes on, the sensory portions of the brain used in hearing may be populated by other senses, leading to an increased ability to hear or smell. Because these sensory systems may already be in use, later implantation of cochlear implants may not be useful as it would be when the child can integrate the sounds most effectively. This suggests that infant cochlear implantation may provide the best results for normal auditory development, communication and socialization.

Improvements Come Over Time

• Cochlear implants may be able to improve the socialization and communication skills of deaf children, according to New York University research published in the "Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry" in 2005. In this study, researchers Bat-Chava, Martin and Kosciw found that it took years of hearing aid or cochlear implant use for children to fall into age-appropriate socialization and communication. Furthermore, those who were more delayed at the outset took longer to catch up to their peers. This suggests that cochlear implants in younger children or infants may help families to avoid this initial developmental delay and achieve normal social functioning earlier.

Motor Development

• Normal motor development may predict later ability to communicate after cochlear implants according to Indiana University research published in "Laryngoscope" in 2005. In this study, researchers Horn, Pisoni, Sanders and Miyamoto found that motor development in infants tended to be more advanced for those with congenital hearing loss as opposed to children whose loss came later. In either case, normal or advanced motor development was a good indicator that children getting the implants would be able to learn to speak and socialize after the operation. Parents of infants getting a cochlear implant may find solace in the fact that children who are developing normally physically should be able to develop social and language prowess following the procedure.

Additional Disabilities

• Even in children with additional disabilities, cochlear implants improve function according to Indiana University research published in the "International Journal of Audiology" in 2012. Researchers found that children with additional developmental disabilities who received cochlear implants showed some improvements in socialization skills or adaptive behavior. While the language scores tended to be lower when compared to cochlear recipients without additional disability, their overall progress with socialization shows that this procedure may be beneficial to this population.