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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'The effect of age at implantation on performance with a cochlear implant'
Track: 2-Audiological Assessment and Intervention
Audience: Primary Audience: Audiologist
Secondary Audience: Early Intervention Provider
Tertiary Audeince: State Education Agency
Keyword(s): Cochlear implant, age, performance
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify factors that contribute to success with a cochlear implant. 2. Understand circumstances that necessitate expedition of the pre-operative process. 3. Evaluate performance with a cochlear implant based on contemporary speech perception and speech and language measures.

Abstract:

Cochlear implants have been well established as a safe and effective treatment for children with severe to profound hearing loss. Currently, FDA guidelines indicate this treatment is appropriate for children as young as 12 months of age. Many children who receive cochlear implants demonstrate speech perception and spoken language skills comparable to their same- aged peers with normal hearing. Several factors contribute to successful use of a cochlear implant. This presentation will describe the outcomes obtained by children who received their cochlear implant at various ages. It will demonstrate that the likelihood of a child obtaining spoken language skills within normal limits increases as the age at implantation decreases. The session will describe clinical procedures used with very young children, including preoperative determination of candidacy, procedures used to program the cochlear implant, and a description of the rehabilitative procedures used to maximize spoken language skills.
Presentation(s): Not Available
Handouts: Not Available
SPEAKER INFORMATION
PRESENTER(S):
Ellen Thomas - University of Michigan
     Credentials: Speech-Language Pathologist, CCC LSLS Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapist
      Ellen Thomas is a speech-language pathologist and LSLS Certified Auditory-Verbal Therapison the University of Michigan cochlear implant team. Ellen became certified in Auditory-Verbal Therapy in 2000. She obtained her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville after completing a Bachelor’s degree in German at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. She serves on the Michigan EHDI advisory board.
 
AUTHOR(S):
Teresa Zwolan - University of Michigan Cochlear Implant Program
     Credentials: Professor, Ph.D., CCC-A
      BIO: Dr. Zwolan is a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology and Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at the University of Michigan. She received her Ph.D. in Audiology from Northwestern University in 1989 and has worked at the University of Michigan since 1990. She is actively involved in patient care, research, and administrative needs of the program. To date, more than 1,700 patients have received a cochlear implant at the University of Michigan. Dr. Zwolan has authored several papers on cochlear implants that focus on clinical management of children and adults, and has authored several book chapters dealing with various topics related to cochlear implants.