Deaf Children Talking!

Below is a link to a "you tube" video. It is worth watching!! The two children in this home video were born completely deaf and have cochlear implants. It is an amazing video to watch! These kids cannot hear and they speak as clearly as a normal hearing person. They do have an accent because they are from Alabama. Below that is an article I ran across online.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ookFhw-IOgU

Early cochlear implants get deaf toddlers talking

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,” said Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Melbourne, Professor Richard Dowell.
The results were revealed after a major clinical study of over 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, “said Dr Shani Dettman of the University of Melbourne, 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,” Dr Dettman said.
“Prior to the introduction of early screening tests and cochlear implantation, profoundly deaf children experienced significant delays in language development,” she said.
“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,” she said “Until recently, most parents were choosing to go ahead with a cochlear implant when the child was between one and two years of age.” “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 U.S.”
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 Shani 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 said.