Developing a Working Memory Scale and Assessment of Working Memory in Children with Cochlear Implant

Abstract

Background and purpose: Hearing impaired children with cochlear implant experience many problems as they have developmental language impairments with impaired working memory. The aim of this study was to develop a working memory test and investigating the working memory in children with cochlear implant. Materials and methods: In this cross sectional study, a Persian working memory scale for children was developed. Content validity (n=9), face validity (n=9), and reliability (n=30) of the test were evaluated. Then, the auditory working memory test was performed in 30 Persian speaking children with normal hearing and in five with cochlear implant. Results: The content validity was 100%. The performance of children confirmed face validity of the scale. Test-retest reliability was 0.938 (P <0.05). There was a significant difference in the mean scores between the group with normal hearing (78.06±27.017) and those with cochlear implants (28.2 ±25.547) (95% CI, [P <0.05]). Conclusion: The Persian working memory scale for children was found to have content validity, face validity, and reliability. Children with cochlear implants performed weaker than normal children on working memory tasks.

Keywords

• reliability
• validity
• scale
• working memory
• cochlear implant