Linsey Cushing
October 23, 2007
Project Prospectus
1. Research Question / Foundation Questions:
Research Question:
In what ways do cochlear implants facilitate the development of literacy skills through the auditory channel?
Foundation Questions:
1. What literacy skills are learned through the auditory channel?
2. What do cochlear implants do?
3. What deficits exist in literacy skills?
2. Tentative Point:
I plan to prove that cochlear implants have a significant impact on improving deaf children’s literacy skills learned through the auditory channel.
3. Discussion:
I decided to research a topic concerning cochlear implants and literacy because I am very fascinated by cochlear implants and the literacy aspect is something I am unfamiliar with. Currently, I am learning about cochlear implants in my Aural Rehabilitation class. However, we are learning more of the technical aspects about how cochlear implants work and the parts on an implant. We also have looked at case histories of children who have cochlear implants and at the auditory-oral approach to therapy. This semester, I have also had the opportunity to watch several therapy sessions involving cochlear implanted children. I’ve discovered that I am very drawn to this type of therapy and find it very interesting and exciting. The fact that we, as speech-language pathologists, can take part in the process of helping a deaf child hear for the first time and make meaning out of those sounds truly astounds me. We have a cochlear implant preschool at Marshall called the Luke Lee Listening Language and Learning Lab, better known as the “L.” By observing this, I’ve realized that the impact cochlear implants have on these children’s abilities to communicate and understand language is amazing. I chose this topic in hopes that I will possibly discover my “niche.” I figure that there’s no better way to discover what type of clients I want to work with in the future than by observing them through classes and researching them.
I think that it will be a challenge to answer this question because cochlear implants are still a fairly new concept. Therefore, research is just starting to take off in this field. Although I thought that there would be more information out there about cochlear implants and literacy, I have discovered that a lot of the results that came up in my initial search do not pertain to my research. However, I have found quite a few articles that appear to be great sources for the questions I am asking. Basically, I think that the lack of research will be my biggest challenge, but this also could actually come to my benefit because I will not have to sift through a lot of information as I might have had to with other topics.
I am excited to see where this project will lead me in terms of my future interests. I hope that after completing this research, I will have a better idea about whether I would like to work with this population. Because of the lack of research in this field, I hope that through this project I will be able to contribute valuable information that will be useful to others who are wondering the same questions as I am.
4. Resources:
References
Boothroyd, A. (2002). Postimplantation audition and educational attainment in children with prelingually acquired profound deafness. The Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. Supplement, 189, 79-84. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from the MEDLINE database.
Connor, C. M., & Zwolan, T. A. (2004). Examining multiple sources of influence on the reading comprehension skills of children who use cochlear implants. Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, 47, 509-526. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from the Academic Search Premier database.
Easterbrooks, S. R. (1998). Association of college educators of the deaf and hard of hearing annual conference: Collected papers. Lexington, KY: Association of College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. 460444)
Fiori, A. (2006). Model oriented assessment of literacy performance in children with cochlear implants. Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie, 85, 489-495. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from the MEDLINE database.
Geers, A. E. (2002). Factors affecting the development of speech, language, and literacy in children with early cochlear implantation. Language, Speech & Hearing Services in Schools, 33, 172-183. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from the Academic Search Premier database.
Geers, A.E. (2003). Predictors of reading skill development in children with early cochlear implantation. Ear and Hearing, 24, 59S-68S. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from the MEDLINE database.
MacDougall, J. C. (1991). Current issues in deafness: A psychological perspective. Canadian Psychology, 32, 612-627. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from the PsycINFO database.
Marschark, M., Rohten, C., & Fabich, M. (2007). Effects of cochlear implants on children’s reading and academic achievement. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 12, 269-282. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from the ERIC database.
Spencer, L.J., Barker, B.A., & Tomblin, J.B. (2003). Exploring the language and literacy outcomes of pediatric cochlear implant users. Ear and Hearing, 24, 236-247. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from the MEDLINE database.
Vermeulen, A. M., van Bon, W., & Schreuder, R. (2007). Reading comprehension of deaf children with cochlear implants. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 12, 283-302. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from the ERIC database.
