Examining Speech Sound Acquisition for Children with Cochlear Implants Using the GFTA-2

This study examines use of the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation Second Edition (GETA-2) with children who use cochlear implants to evaluate whether or not it would be appropriate to use this test with this population. Participants included 15 children with cochlear implants who ranged in age of implantation and amount of implant experience. Raw score performance was compared with age of implantation, chronological age, and amount of implant experience. Values were then applied to test norms (i.e., compared to children with typical hearing) using chronological age and amount of implant experience as referents. The number of errors was not significantly correlated with age of implantation or chronological age, but was correlated with amount of implant experience. Relative to the test norms, 5 of 15 children achieved standard scores within 1.5 standard deviations of their chronological age referent. Eourteen of 15 children met this standard when amount of implant experience was used as a referent. Order of English consonant acquisition also appeared to be broadly similar to that of children with typical hearing. Findings are consistent with previous studies using this test with this population. Therefore, it appears to be appropriate to use the GFTA-2 for assessing speech production skills in children with cochlear implants.