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Castellanos, Irina

Psychosocial outcomes in long-term cochlear implant users

The objectives of this study were to investigate psychosocial
outcomes in a sample of prelingually deaf, early-implanted children,
adolescents, and young adults who are long-term cochlear implant (CI)
users and to examine the extent to which language and executive functioning
predict psychosocial outcomes.
Design: Psychosocial outcomes were measured using two well-validated,
parent-completed checklists: the Behavior Assessment System
for Children and the Conduct Hyperactive Attention Problem Oppositional
Symptom. Neurocognitive skills were measured using gold standard,
performance-based assessments of language and executive functioning.
Results: CI users were at greater risk for clinically significant deficits
in areas related to attention, oppositional behavior, hyperactivity–impulsivity,
and social-adaptive skills compared with their normal-hearing
peers, although the majority of CI users scored within average ranges
relative to Behavior Assessment System for Children norms. Regression
analyses revealed that language, visual–spatial working memory, and
inhibition–concentration skills predicted psychosocial outcomes.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that underlying delays and deficits in language
and executive functioning may place some CI users at a risk for
difficulties in psychosocial adjustment.

Subjects--Topical Terms:
Cochlear implants
Executive functioning
Hearing loss
Language
Psychosocial outcomes