Language development in children with cochlear implantation between 2-6 years of age and evaluati̇ng the family's implant perspecti̇ve

Aim:This thesis aims to evaluate the language development of children aged 2–6 years who use cochlear implants (CI) and to examine their families' perspectives on the CI process. Specifically, it emphasizes the effects of auditory-verbal therapy following implantation on language development and the role of families in this process. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 70 children and their parents at Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. Data were collected using the " Children With Cochlear İmplants: Parental Perspectives (CCIPP) and Denver II, standardized language development tests. The children's language development was assessed based on their age at implantation and the duration of auditory-verbal therapy. Results: It was observed that CI positively affected language development, that children were diagnosed with hearing loss at an average of 6.74±5.36 months, and CI was generally applied at an average of 21.59±8.69 months. They were found to have used CI for an average duration of 49±10.63 months. Auditory-verbal training was positively associated with language age (p <0.001) and a significant relationship was found between the average language age and daily device usage time at 12-24 months (p <0.001). The mean score obtained from the ABPA total was 37.6±10.72. Conclusion: Early cochlear implantation and subsequent auditory-verbal therapy are critical for fostering language development. The active participation of families, combined with close collaboration with implant centers, significantly enhances treatment outcomes. This study underscores the importance of providing comprehensive support and education to families throughout the CI process. January 2025, 101 pages. Keywords: Cochlear implant, Language Education, Language Development, Children