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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Cochlear Implantation and Knowledge Needs of Early Intervention Professionals'
Track: 2-Audiological Assessment and Intervention
Audience: Primary Audience:
Secondary Audience:
Tertiary Audeince:
Keyword(s): cochlear implant, age of implantation
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify knowledge gaps of early intervention professionals relative to spoken language development in young deaf children. 2. Describe recent research on key factors impacting cochlear implant outcomes in young children. 3. Suggest methods of improving cochlear implant outcomes via the early intervention advisement process.

Abstract:

Parents of children who are born with deafness rely upon information and guidance provided by early intervention professionals to make decisions about whether and when to pursue hearing technology for their children. Since recent studies have demonstrated the strong correlation between early implantation (under 18 months of age) and long term language outcomes in children, the timeliness of accurate information provided to families by such professionals is a critical part of the pediatric implant process. Despite some reduction in age at CI over the past ten years, the mean age at the time of implantation in children under age 3 in 2010 was 20 months. This means that many young children are still coming to the process of CI at an older age than is optimal if they are to have the best spoken language outcomes. This session will review the most recent research on the topic of impact of age on outcomes as well as the results of surveys conducted with early intervention professionals regarding their knowledge of basic constructs and tools in facilitating early auditory skills with a cochlear implant. Suggestions will be made as to key information to be shared with early intervention professionals working with families to ensure that parents have the information that they need at the optimal time for those who wish to pursue cochlear implantation for their children.
Handouts: Handout is not Available
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