When looking at young children that have had a cochlear implantation for a minimum of 10 years, it was found that children show significant progress in speech perception and production (8). Cochlear implantation provides long term communication benefits and the results do not plateau (8). To ensure success of implantation, it is important that individuals with cochlear implants have long-term support, counseling, audiological follow ups, rehabilitation and constant device monitoring (8).
As an Early Childhood Educator, it is important to keep in mind that the children they are working with is going through a life changing experience by choosing to get a cochlear implant. Firstly, many tests are conducted to see if the child will even qualify for an implantation. Once the operation is complete, it will usually take anywhere between 3-6 weeks before receiving the external transmitter and sound processor (9). This is before all of the swelling caused by the surgery will need to be gone and that takes time (9). It is crucial that ECE’s are supportive and understand the process of cochlear implantation as it is a long and on-going process. In order for the child to benefit most from the cochlear implant, Early Childhood Educators can attempt to make hearing and listening as fun as possible (9). They can also encourage the child to make noises and talk to them as they do (9). All in all, it is crucial to understand that the more committed ECE’s are as well as the family members of the child with the implantation, the more beneficial it will be on the child.
