Phonological Outcomes in Children Aged 6-7 Years with Bilateral Cochlear Implants
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| Title: | Phonological Outcomes in Children Aged 6-7 Years with Bilateral Cochlear Implants |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Öznur Orakçı Paslı, Aysenur Kucuk Ceyhan (ORCID |
| Source: | Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools. 2026 57(1):292-298. |
| Availability: | American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: lshss@asha.org; Web site: http://lshss.pubs.asha.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 7 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Young Children, Deafness, Assistive Technology, Phonological Awareness, Language Acquisition, Age Differences, Error Patterns, Phonemes, Accuracy, Speech Communication, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Turkey |
| DOI: | 10.1044/2025_LSHSS-25-00128 |
| ISSN: | 0161-1461 1558-9129 |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the phonological development of 6- to 7-year-old children using cochlear implants (CIs) and to compare the findings with normative data from typically hearing (TH) children. Method: The study included 30 children with bilateral CIs, aged 6 years (72-83 months; eight girls, six boys; M[subscript age] ± SD = 75.6 ± 2.8 months) and 7 years (84-95 months; seven girls, nine boys; M[subscript age] ± SD = 87.5 ± 2.9 months). Phoneme production and phonological process use were evaluated using the Bankson-Bernthal Test of Phonology. Data were analyzed for phoneme accuracy, types and frequencies of phonological processes, and differences by age group. Results: A total of 891 speech sound errors were identified, with 22 phonological processes suitable for statistical analysis. In the 6-year-old group, the most common process was dentalization (92.9%), while in the 7-year-old group, it was cluster simplification (87.5%). Although not statistically significant, the 7-year-old group showed fewer speech sound errors and used fewer processes than the 6-year-old group. Children with CIs made the most errors with trills, fricatives, and affricates, and the fewest with bilabial consonants (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that children with CIs can follow a phonological development sequence similar to their TH peers, although more slowly and with more errors. The fewer speech sound errors and processes seen in the 7-year-olds suggest that the system becomes more organized as hearing age increases. Process similarities between CI users and TH children highlight the benefits of early implantation and advanced CI technology. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1499065 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the phonological development of 6- to 7-year-old children using cochlear implants (CIs) and to compare the findings with normative data from typically hearing (TH) children. Method: The study included 30 children with bilateral CIs, aged 6 years (72-83 months; eight girls, six boys; M[subscript age] ± SD = 75.6 ± 2.8 months) and 7 years (84-95 months; seven girls, nine boys; M[subscript age] ± SD = 87.5 ± 2.9 months). Phoneme production and phonological process use were evaluated using the Bankson-Bernthal Test of Phonology. Data were analyzed for phoneme accuracy, types and frequencies of phonological processes, and differences by age group. Results: A total of 891 speech sound errors were identified, with 22 phonological processes suitable for statistical analysis. In the 6-year-old group, the most common process was dentalization (92.9%), while in the 7-year-old group, it was cluster simplification (87.5%). Although not statistically significant, the 7-year-old group showed fewer speech sound errors and used fewer processes than the 6-year-old group. Children with CIs made the most errors with trills, fricatives, and affricates, and the fewest with bilabial consonants (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that children with CIs can follow a phonological development sequence similar to their TH peers, although more slowly and with more errors. The fewer speech sound errors and processes seen in the 7-year-olds suggest that the system becomes more organized as hearing age increases. Process similarities between CI users and TH children highlight the benefits of early implantation and advanced CI technology. |
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| ISSN: | 0161-1461 1558-9129 |
| DOI: | 10.1044/2025_LSHSS-25-00128 |
