Sensory processing features in children with cochlear implants

Abstract

Sensory processing represents a neurological process that involves sensory perception, organisation, and reaction to sensory stimuli. It is a broad mechanism that refers to how our central and peripheral nervous systems regulate sensory information from our seven (peripheral) sensory systems. The aim of this paper was to examine the sensory processing features in children with cochlear implants and to determine the correlation between the processing of sensory information with emotional and social responses, as well as behavioural outcomes. Parents of 24 children with cochlear implants, ranging in age from 1 to 10 years old, completed the Sensory Profile questionnaire. The results show that children with cochlear implants had lower sensory processing performance in several domains of the Sensory Profile. Pearson’s r correlation revealed that there were significant relationships between social/ emotional responses and behavioural outcomes with almost all sensory inputs, except the vestibular. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the respondents from this convenient sample had significant difficulties in adjusting their levels of activity to the requirements of everyday life and daily tasks. These research findings can contribute to improving the effective implementation of sensory integration therapy, as well as highlighting the need to adjust a child’s environment based on their profile of sensory needs.