Communication Choices
We are beginning a research project with Nottingham Paediatric Cochlear Implant Programme which is looking at changes in communication over time after cochlear implantation. Earlier work by Archbold et al, (2000) showed that there was no difference in outcome between children who had begun with sign language and changed to oral communication three years after implantation, and those who had always used oral language, in terms of speech perception and production. A new study, funded by National Deaf Children’s Society, will look at changes in communication over time, factors influencing the changes, and ways in which we can facilitate such changes.
Communication Changes after Cochlear Implant
We have been working on another project looking at the way children communicate after they have had a cochlear implant. This project has also been funded by the NDCS. Linda Watson from the University of Birmingham and Tim Hardie, parent of a deaf child, have been working with us on this study.
Many parents of children implanted for five years or more on the Nottingham cochlear implant programme were sent a questionnaire asking about the way in which their child communicated before implant and how they communicate now. We have looked at all these results and Tim presented some of the data at an international conference on cochlear implants in children earlier this year. Linda is also writing a paper for publication.
Alex has been interviewing a small sample of families from the large number who responded to the questionnaire. She has also talked to local teachers of the deaf. The results from these in depth interviews are currently being analysed and we will be publishing the results at the beginning of 2007.