Psychoacoustics and Speech Perception Outcomes in Children Using Cochlear Implants: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Cochlear Implant is the most successful implantable hearing devices prosthesis for the restoration of individuals with hearing impairment. Most cochlear implant recipients can detect the speech sounds well within the normal hearing thresholds range and within the speech banana curve, facilitating the transmission of almost all speech sounds in the speech spectrum. The present study aimed to systematically review the findings of published literature regarding speech perception outcomes and psychoacoustic abilities in pediatric cochlear implantees. Different databases were searched, and 18 articles were finally selected for the final qualitative analysis. The current review suggests that the speech perception outcomes have improved significantly after cochlear implantation in children compared to the baseline condition. There is a steady improvement in the speech performance outcome over time. In psychoacoustic tests, older children could perform better in pitch discrimination tasks than younger children. This review helps to establish developmental goals among children with CIs. Clinicians may use these goals to determine whether children have made appropriate progress and whether increased attention should be given to address particular speech perception issues. Limited studies have explored the psychoacoustic abilities in children, and the research gap can be bridged in future studies. However, overall, significant improvement has been shown with time with cochlear implantation in children.