Development of audiovisual integration in children with cochlear implant within 18 months of implantation

Objective: The main objective of the study was to investigate the development of audiovisual integration in children with cochlear implant (CI) within 18 months of implantation. Method: The development of audiovisual integration was assessed in 37 cochlear implant recipients between the age of 3-7 years. They were divided into three groups based on their implant age. The groups were as follows, Group 1 consisted of 10 participants with an implant age of 0-6 months, Group 2 consisted of 15 participants with an implant age of 7-12 months and Group 3 consisted of 12 participants with an implant age of 13-18 months. Result: The scores showed that as the implant age increases there is a gradual increase in the perception of auditory alone, audiovisual congruent and incongruent tokens. However, the participants did not have consistent fusion responses (McGurk response). Conclusion: The findings from the study suggest that the development of bimodal fusion responses to incongruent tokens is still progressing with implant age.