Verbal fluency naming in children with CIs: What can we learn from children with CIs on sensitive periods for language?

Authors

  • Deena Wechsler-Kashi Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ono Academic College, Kiryat Ono, Israel Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
  • Richard G. Schwartz Program in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, CUNY Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY, USA
  • Miranda Cleary

Abstract

This study examined lexical retrieval processes as a possible underlying language mechanism responsible for language deficits in some children with cochlear implants (CIs). Lexical retrieval processing was examined using phonological and semantic verbal fluency (VF) naming tasks. In the VF tasks, children were given one minute to generate as many words as they can that begin with a given sound (/t/, /l/, /f/) or that belong to a certain semantic category (animals, food). Twenty children with CIs and twenty age- and IQ-matched normal-hearing (NH) children aged 7-10 participated in this study. Children with CIs generated fewer words on the VF tasks. In addition, qualitative differences were found in the performance of the two groups on these tasks. Children with CI seem to process words at a slower rate compared to NH children. Children with CIs showed significance differences compared to NH children in the phonological VF task on measures of the number of switches and the number of words produced in the first 15 seconds of the task. Age at implantation was significantly correlated with performance on the semantic part of the VF task. Younger implanted children performed better (named more words) on the semantic VF task. These correlations might suggest that early implantation is advantageous for certain aspects of lexical performance. Taken together the data support recent work suggesting that the development of certain aspects of language may have an earlier sensitive period than other linguistic skills.

References

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Published

2013-12-15

How to Cite

Wechsler-Kashi, D., Schwartz, R. G., & Cleary, M. (2013). Verbal fluency naming in children with CIs: What can we learn from children with CIs on sensitive periods for language?. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Auditory and Audiological Research, 4, 241–245. Retrieved from https://proceedings.isaar.eu/index.php/isaarproc/article/view/2013-25

Issue

Vol. 4 (2013): Auditory Plasticity - Listening with the Brain

Section

2013/4. Hearing rehabilitation with hearing aids and cochlear implants

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