Study: Cochlear implants really help deaf children with autism

Cochlear implants can go a long way toward helping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) understand spoken language and enhance social interactions.

That's the finding of a long-term survey that followed 30 children who had autism and hearing loss and had received cochlear implants. The study comes from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Researchers found that 7 out of 10 children used their cochlear implant consistently throughout the day, and nearly half developed some understanding of spoken words through hearing without visual cues and used some spoken language.

Senior author Nancy Young, who is the Medical Director of Audiology and Cochlear Implant Programs at Lurie Children's Hospital said:

"Our results add to the growing body of evidence that cochlear implantation clearly benefits deaf children with autism spectrum disorder. Improved hearing provides access to spoken language that may enhance their cognitive and communication potential, as well as help these children engage more with their families."

The study was published in the journal Otology & Neurotology and you can read more about it here.