Table 1 Characteristics of the study participants
Variables | Study participants (n = 30) | Participants < 9 years (n = 12) | Participants ≥ 9 years (n = 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
Age (years) | |||
mean ± SD | 9 ± 1.6 | 7.3 ± 1.1 | 10.1 ± 0.7 |
median (Range) | 9.1 (5.3–11) | 7.3 (5.3–8.8) | 10.25 (9–11) |
Gender: number (%) | |||
Male | 15 (50%) | 5 (41.6%) | 10 (55.5%) |
Female | 15 (50%) | 7 (58.3%) | 8 (44.4%) |
Total IQ: mean ± SD | 94.6 ± 6.1 | 94.1 ± 5.6 | 94.9 ± 6.4 |
Mental age (years): mean ± SD | 8.5 ± 1.8 | 6.8 ± 1.1 | 9.6 ± 1.0 |
Age at diagnosis of HL (months) | |||
mean ± SD | 11 ± 7.7 | 9.1± 6.5 | 11.1± 7.8 |
median (range) | 9 (2–36) | 7.5 (3–24) | 10.5 (2–36) |
Causes of HL: number (%) | |||
Congenital | 29 (96.7%) | 12 (100%) | 17 (94.4%) |
Post-meningitic | 1 (3.3%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (5.6%) |
Family history of HL: number (%) | |||
Positive | 11 (36.7%) | 4 (33.3%) | 7 (38.8%) |
Negative | 19 (63.3%) | 8 (66.6%) | 11 (61.1%) |
Age at CI surgery (years) | |||
mean ± SD | 4 ± 1.2 | 2.9 ± 0.8 | 4.7 ± 0.8 |
median (range) | 4.0 (1.1–6) | 3.1 (1.1–4.1) | 4.9 (3–6) |
Side of CI: number (%) | |||
Right | 17 (56.7%) | 7 (58.3%) | 10 (55.5%) |
Left | 13 (43.3%) | 5 (41.6%) | 8 (44.4%) |
Duration of CI (years) | |||
mean ± SD | 5.1 ± 0.6 | 4.5 ± 0.4 | 5.5 ± 0.3 |
median (range) | 5.1 (4–6) | 4.3 (4–5.4) | 5.6 (4.6–6) |
Pre-implantation audiometric hearing | |||
threshold (dB) | Right ear: (82.0–99.7) ± (8.7–11.6) | Right ear: (80.8–93.7) ± (11.0–10.2) | Right ear: (82.0–103.6) ± (6.9–8.0) |
mean (at 250 Hz–at 4000 Hz) ± SD | Left ear: (83.7–100.3) ± (11.1–12.5) | Left ear: (80.8–97.5) ± (12.9–12.3) | Left ear: (85.8–103.0) ± (9.8–9.7) |
Post-implantation (aided) audiometric hearing threshold (dB) | |||
mean (at 500 Hz–at 4000 Hz) ± SD | Implanted ear: (20.8–28) ± (5.9–7.1) | Implanted ear: (28.7–23.3) ± (6.4–7.7) | Implanted ear: (27.5–21.9) ± (7.7–5.7) |
Auditory and language therapy starting age (years): median (range) | 2 (0.5–4) | 1.6 (0.5–3.7) | 2 (1–4) |
Regularity of therapy sessions: number (%) | |||
Regular | 26 (86.7%) | 10 (83.3%) | 16 (88.8%) |
Irregular | 4 (13.3%) | 2 (16.6%) | 2 (11.1%) |
Frequency of therapy sessions (number per | |||
week): median (range) | 3 (2–7) | 3 (2–7) | 3 (2–6) |
Age at first word (years): median (range) | 2.3 (0.8–3.5) | 2.3 (1–3.5) | 2.2 (0.8–3.5) |
Age at first sentence (years): median (range) | 4.0 (2.1–6.0) | 3.7 (2.1–4.6) | 4.2 (2.4–6.0) |
Language age (years) | |||
Receptive language age: mean ± SD | 5.7 ± 0.6 | 5.4 ± 0.6 | 5.7 ± 0.7 |
Expressive language age: mean ± SD | 5.0 ± 0.9 | 4.5 ± 0.6 | 5.1 ± 0.9 |
Total language age: mean ± SD | 5.2 ± 0.7 | 4.8 ± 0.5 | 5.3 ± 0.6 |