Language Development in Children With Cochlear Implants and Speech-language Therapy Interventions
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
- Where
- Paris, FranceSee the site
- Trial code
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 60 people, planned
- Started
- 17 Apr 2026
- Expected to end
- 17 May 2028
- Type of study
- Observational
- Treatments tested
- Speech-language therapy (observed standard care)
- Record updated
- 28 May 2026
Who can take part
- Age
- 32 months to 48 months
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 7 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Children with severe to profound prelingual hearing loss
- Implanted between 8 and 24 months of age
- At least 24 months of follow-up after implantation
- No parental objection from legal guardians
Who cannot take part
- Suspected or diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Children with progressive hearing loss
- Severe neurological pathology, identified by MRI and/or neuro-pediatric assessment
Where in France
- Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades - Service d'ORL et chirurgie cervico-facialeParis, FranceContact: Iris ATTALTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Cochlear implantation is currently offered to children with severe to profound prelingual hearing loss for whom hearing aids alone are insufficient to provide access to oral language (HAS, 2009). Speech-language therapy should be implemented concurrently to support the development of oral language (HAS, 2006). Several speech therapy approaches can be proposed. The auditory-phonological (AP) approach, recommended by HAS (HAS, 2006), is a child-centered rehabilitation method that relies on visual aids such as Cued Speech or French Sign Language (LSF) to supplement the auditory information transmitted by cochlear implants.
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Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT), widely developed in some countries, remains innovative in France. This therapy is more parent-centered, aiming to teach caregivers how to model language to optimally stimulate their child's language development. It excludes the use of visual aids such as Cued Speech or LSF and relies solely on auditory stimulation provided by cochlear implants. When implemented, AVT should be initiated as early as possible to achieve the best language outcomes.
The frequency of speech therapy sessions following implantation is also not standardized. Various international recommendations emphasize early, regular, and family-centered intervention. However, high-level evidence on the relationship between session frequency and language development is limited.
A similar observation applies to parental involvement. Although it is recognized as essential for language development in implanted children's speech therapy, few studies provide a consensus on how to implement parental involvement during therapy sessions.
The group in the trial
- Cochlear-implanted children
Children with severe to profound prelingual hearing loss who received a cochlear implant before the age of 2. This cohort will be assessed for speech-language therapy interventions, including method (AP or AVT), session frequency, and parental involvement, and their impact on language development outcomes.
Treatment: Speech-language therapy (observed standard care)
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Record updated
- 28 May 2026