Phonological Process Use in the Speech of Children Fitted With Cochlear Implants

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of both developmental and non-developmental phonological processes in a group of young children using cochlear implants.

Participants: 6 preschool children with severe to profound binaural hearing loss with cochlear implants

Method: 15-25 minute conversational speech samples from six children were collected at three-month intervals over a period of 12-21 months for a prior study. These samples were then transcribed and analyzed using Natural Phonological Analysis (NPA) and a data collection form created solely for the purpose of this study.

Data Analysis: Pearson correlations were used to determine relationships among the variables. Z-scores were also used to make comparisons with the available normative data.

Results: Possible explanations for the use of developmental as well as non-developmental processes in this population are discussed. These results have implications for the assessment and clinical treatment of phonological errors in the speech of children with cochlear implants.