Early implantation gives the greatest opportunity for normal development of speech and language skills. The treatment focuses on auditory training, speech reading, music, telephone use, and communication strategies. A family member or friend is encouraged to attend the weekly sessions to learn how to communicate most effectively with the implant recipient. After the initial 3-month period, children are seen every 3 months for the first year and every 6 months for the second and third years. Thereafter, the child is seen annually.
Every effort is made to work with the school teacher and other professionals working with the child.
In-service training about the implant and participation in the child's IEP meetings are available. It is important for children to receive auditory and speech training to maximally benefit from a cochlear implant. A child's performance will usually continue to improve over an extended period of time with training. Speech-reading becomes less stressful and more accurate. Most people who had normal hearing at one time are able to understand some speech without speech-reading.