Our project goal is to learn about the impact of cochlear implants for children with combined hearing and vision loss, and we are seeking young children, 8 years of age or younger, to participate in this research study.
The study involves two parts. There are assessments, which will find out how well a cochlear implant is working for a child. There are also interventions, which will use strategies to improve communication and language development.
Families can participate in one of two ways:
Assessment Only
A number of assessments will be used to determine each child's level of communication, listening skills, and use of speech and language. This can be done in your home or at your child's school.
What does participation in the study involve?
Assessment & Intervention
An exciting phase of the study will be the use of the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) to measure children's use of verbal language and their language environments. This remarkable tool is able to record up to 16 hours of conversation between children and their parents or teachers at home and at school. During the intervention phase, families will also learn new strategies to promote their child's communication development.
Benefits to Participation
Each family will receive $100 each time their child is assessed in appreciation for their participation. Parents who participate in the Assessment and Intervention using the LENA device up to 5 times will receive an additional $25 for each recording and $75 for completing the study and returning the device to the project.
Participation is voluntary and all information that you provide will be kept confidential.
To participate, please see the Contact Information page.
To read more about some of the children already in the study, please visit the Participant Stories page.
Determining the Benefits and Challenges of Cochlear Implants for Children with Combined Hearing and Vision Loss
Children Who are Deaf-Blind with Cochlear Implants
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education-Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities (CFDA 84.327A). Grant H327A080045; Project Officer, Maryann McDermott. Opinions express within are those of the project/author and do not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Department of Education.
