Ann E. Geers|Christine Mitchell|Andrea D. Warner?Czyz|Nae Yuh Wang|Laurie S. Eisenberg
Early Sign Language Exposure and Cochlear Implantation Benefits
The University of Texas at Dallas|Johns Hopkins University|The University of Texas at Dallas|Johns Hopkins University|University of Southern California
children hearing loss receive cochlear implants ci learn spoken language parents must choose early whether use sign language accompany speech home address whether parents use sign language ci positively influences auditoryonly speech recognition speech intelligibility spoken language reading outcomesthree groups children cis nationwide database differed duration early sign language exposure provided homes compared progress elementary grades groups differ demographic auditory linguistic characteristics implantationchildren without early sign language exposure achieved better speech recognition skills first 3 years postimplant exhibited statistically significant advantage spoken language reading near end elementary grades children exposed sign language 70 children without sign language exposure achieved ageappropriate spoken language compared 39 exposed 3 years early speech perception predicted speech intelligibility middle elementary grades children without sign language exposure produced speech intelligible mean 70 exposed sign language mean 51this study provides compelling support yet available ci literature benefits spoken language input promoting verbal development children implanted 3 years age contrary earlier published assertions advantage parents use sign language either ci