Comparing Speech Intelligibility in 3 to 5 Years Old Children with Cochlear Implants and Normal Children

Abstract

Background and Objective: One of the positive outcomes of cochlear implantation is achieving intelligible speech. Therefore, the measurement of speech intelligibility is a standard criterion for assessing the effectiveness of cochlear implants (CIs). The goal of this study was to compare speech intelligibility in 3 to 5 cochlear-implanted children with their age-matched normal children at three levels of correctness of consonants, vowels and words. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 40 children (20 children with cochlear implant, and 20 normal children– matched for age as a control group) were recruited. Speech intelligibility was assessed at three levels of correctness of consonants, vowels and words using the Persian speech intelligibility test. Results: Findings showed significant difference between speech intelligibility in children with CIs and normal children in levels of consonant, vowel and word correctness (P=0.000) Conclusion: Speech intelligibility at three levels of correctness of consonants, vowels and words in 3 to 5 year old children with CIs were lower than normal children.

Keywords

• speech intelligibility
• cochlear implant
• consonant
• vowel
• word