FY 2008 Annual Report of Achievements - Gallaudet University

Children With Cochlear Implants: A Study of Their Communication Profiles
National mission priority area: Multiple priority areas
Principal Investigator(s)
Nussbaum, Debra
A-100
Other Investigator(s)
Scott, Susanne
Waddy-Smith, Bettie
Project description
Children With Cochlear Implants: A Study of Their Communication Profiles was a
collaborative research project between the Clerc Center’s Cochlear Implant Education Center
(CIEC) and James Madison University (JMU). This study documented the varied characteristics and
communication profiles of young children with cochlear implants who use signed and spoken
language. The study describes the changes in vocal, gestural, and sign communication in identified
students for 36 months postimplantation. It includes a review of available student assessments and
videotaped samples of language and communication occurrences in both natural and structured
environments. The Clerc Center is one of three sites that participated in the study. The other sites
were The Cochlear Implant Center at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and the Virginia
School for the Deaf and the Blind in Staunton.
Development
Prior years. This study, beginning in FY 2003, was originally designed to follow identified
students for 18 months postimplantation. Preliminary findings encouraged extension of the project
for an additional 18 months. Institutional Research Board approval was requested and granted.
During FY 2003-2004, nine students were followed. In FY 2004, one student withdrew from the
school program and the study, one student discontinued use of her cochlear implant, and four new
students were added.
Beginning fall 2003 videotaped samples were gathered every three months (up to 36 months
postimplantation). These samples were analyzed at JMU for percentage of sign language and spoken
language used, intelligibility of spoken and signed utterances, and, where possible, for phonological
features of both spoken and signed utterances. The Clerc Center funded a stipend of $1,750 a
semester to JMU to support data analysis during spring 2004, fall 2004, spring 2005, fall 2005, and
spring 2006. The final tapes of Clerc Center students were sent to JMU for analysis during winter
2006. JMU research collaborators completed analysis of the data during summer 2007.
FY 2008 activities and/or product(s).
• CIEC staff collaborated with JMU researchers to draft and review an article summarizing
the research project and findings entitled Children With Cochlear Implants: Sign and Speech
Acquisition (primary author: Brenda C. Seal, Ph.D., professor, JMU, Department of
Communication Sciences and Disorders).
Dissemination
Prior years. Preliminary findings of the JMU collaborative research study, Children With
Cochlear Implants: A Study of Their Communication Profiles, were presented in seven venues: the
JMU Faculty Research Forum in Harrisonburg, Va. on October 7, 2004; the American Speech-
Language-Hearing Association Convention on November 18, 2004; the Educational Audiology
Association Conference from July 18-21, 2005; the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Convention in San Diego, Calif., in November 2005; the Nemours Symposia on Pediatric Medical
Research at Dupont Hospital in Delaware in October 2006; the American Speech-Language-Hearing