Deaf babies and toddlers can develop normal language skills when cochlear implants occur between six months and two years, according to new research released by the University of Melbourne.

“This is the first study investigating the long term language progress of deaf babies and toddlers implanted with cochlear implants,” says Head of the University’s Department of Otolaryngology, Professor Richard Dowell.

The results were revealed after a major clinical study of more than 100 infants implanted between six months and two years of age was conducted at the Cochlear Implant Clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

“Results have shown that implantation in an infant under 12 months has a significant impact on their language skills,” says Dr Shani Dettman, who coordinated the study.

“The most important time for developing communication skills is below 12 months of age. This is a critical period for language growth.

“Prior to the introduction of early screening tests and cochlear implantation, profoundly deaf children experienced significant delays in language development,” she says.

“What we have found is that the children who received implants before 12 months of age had better language than the children who received implants between one and two years of age.

“Until recently, most parents were choosing to go ahead with a cochlear implant when the child was between one and two. We now have definitive evidence to recommend that parents decide even earlier. This research is backed up by similar studies carried out in Europe and the US.”

The study involved a three-month pre-testing period of communication assessment, hearing tests and radiological scans, and then long term follow up years after the implant operation.

Dr Dettman said the research will have a huge impact on the lives of the children and their learning capabilities.

“It is wonderful to watch the children begin to respond to their hearing, and learn to communicate. These children can joke, lie, tease and use language in all its forms,” she says.

Program Coordinator of the Early Education Program for Hearing Impaired Children, Rita Corbett, says deaf children in the early intervention program show great interaction with hearing children.

The Cochlear implant device grew out of research at the University lead by Professor Graeme Clark. Manufactured by the Australian company cochlear Ltd, it is used by more than 80 000 deaf people around the world.