Speech processor data logging helps in predicting early linguistic outcomes in implanted children

Objective: To analyse the value of listening-data logged in the speech processor on the prediction of the early auditory and linguistic skills in children who received a cochlear implant in their first 2 years of life. Study design: Prospective observational non-randomized study. Methods: Ten children with profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss were included in the study. The mean age at CI activation was 16.9 months (SD +/- 7.2; range 10-24). The auditory skills were evaluated with the Infant Toddler Meaningful Inventory Scale and the Category of Auditory Performance. Lexical level was assessed with the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory. The overall data of average daily use and acoustic scene-analyses were extracted from Data Logging system. The effect of the one-year cumulative listening time to speech (in quiet) and speech-in-noise on the auditory and lexical scores was analysed. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between speech in quiet exposure time at low loudness level (<70 dB) and lexical quotient after one year of CI use. Infant Toddler Meaningful Inventory Scale was negatively correlated with the highest speech-in-noise loudness levels (>80 dB). The Category of Auditory Performance was not related to the logged data. Conclusion: The listening environment can influence the early functional outcomes in younger implanted children. In this perspective, the data logging system is a promising tool in predicting early linguistic and auditory outcomes. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.