Research into behaviour, language and communication skills in young children with cochlear implants

Dr Rachael Lawrence, a Researcher based in The Nottingham Hearing Biomedical Research Centre, specialises in Otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat medicine) and is studying language and communication skills in children with cochlear implants.

Speech and language abilities in children with cochlear implants vary widely, but we still don’t fully understand why. All children, like adults, have different patterns of behaviour.

This study aims to find out whether certain aspects of a child’s behaviour relate to their understanding of speech, learning of language and communication skills.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study method has had to change as the research team are no longer performing face to face research sessions. The research is being undertaken through questionnaires and the team are keen to recruit as many parents and children as possible.

If you are the parent or guardian of a 4-6 year old child who has normal hearing or is a bilateral cochlear implant user, please consider taking part in a survey from your home.

The survey involves two questionnaires that ask you as a parent or guardian, questions about your child’s speech and language abilities and aspects of their behaviour. It takes about 30 minutes in total and can be completed via post or a telephone or online interaction with Dr Rachael Lawrence.

For your time you will be given a £10 Amazon Voucher.

If you would like to take part, please contact Dr Rachael Lawrence at rachael.lawrence@nottingham.ac.uk to discuss your preferred way to complete the survey.

Patient information sheets for children with normal hearing

Patient information sheets for children with bilateral cochlear implants