The Significance of the Physical and Motor Potential for Speech Development in Children with Cochlear Implant (CI) – Preliminary Study

The analysis of neurophysiological development processes of implanted children with profound hearing loss does indicate the links between the level of language skills development and motor functions within the scope of both fine and gross motor skills. The purpose of the research, that was carried out within the two week rehabilitation period on a group of 17 children with profound hearing loss, now cochlear implant users, was to verify whether the launch of Early Intervention programme (in the form of global movements, focused on the vestibular system) will be effective in improving motor skills and strongly correlate with the level of speech development. The results did confirm the hypothesis of the effectiveness of impact-oriented motor exercises on the vestibular system that aimed to improve the sense of direction. Moreover, it showed the significant presence of relevant neurophysiological bonds in the scope of development of balance of language skills. The presented results do confirm the few global reports on this subject. Likewise, in order to search for best possible therapies for children – cochlear implant users – they point the urge to conduct a continuous survey in the field of coordination motor abilities (CMA) as well as in terms of development of linguistic competencies.