PURPOSE: to analyze the verbal comprehension of deaf children using a cochlear implant (CI) through a longitudinal study. METHODS: the individuals were nine deaf children using CI. The chronological age of the children ranged from four to eight year-old. The time of use of CI was, on average, 1 year 6 months at the 1st evaluation, 3 years 7 months at the 2nd evaluation, and 4 years 9 months at the 3rd evaluation. The deaf children were evaluated longitudinally through the RDLS Verbal Comprehension Scale. The used materials were toys, objects and figures. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: the implanted children showed progress in their receptive abilities that were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: the study proves CI effectiveness as for the development of verbal comprehension.
Deafness; Language Development; Cochlear Implantation
