Acquisition of Voice Onset Time in Hindi Speaking Children with Cochlear Implant

Abstract

Background: The acquisition of voice onset time (VOT) in plosive consonants among hearing-impaired individuals has long been of interest to many researchers especially following the use of a hearing device such as the cochlear implant. The aim of the study was to study acquisition of voice onset time in Hindi speaking children with cochlear implant. Methods: A total of 15 CI subjects were chosen who were attending the speech and language therapy in Hindi and age matched 15 normal hearing children were selected for the study. Subjects were divided into 3 age groups according to hearing experience. Results: The present study investigated the VOT values of voiced and voiceless plosives produced by Hindi-speaking prelingually deafened CI children with duration of CI experience ranged between 4 to 10 years. The results were then compared to a group of NH children with chronological age similar to the hearing experience of the CI children. Conclusions: A longitudinal study is recommended to continue monitoring the CI children acquisition of the voicing contrast to determine at what hearing age the difference would be insignificant between the CI and NH groups and whether similar developmental trend would continue.