The factors determining success with cochlear implants in prelingually deaf children are many. One such factor is the age at implantation. Previous research has suggested a sensitive period for cochlear implantation in the prelingually deaf; however, the mechanisms limiting this sensitive period are not understood. The visual system of prelingually deaf young adults has been shown to use the processing resources of the deprived auditory system. Perhaps it is this rewiring of cortical processing resources that restricts the upper limit of the sensitive period for cochlear implantation in prelingually deaf children. Once this change in sensory processing has occurred, the ability of a cochlear implant or hearing aid to restore normal auditory function to the cortex may be limited by this rewiring of sensory systems. The time course of the development of cross-modal plasticity, in relation to this sensitive period is not known. This investigation proposes to examine the time course of visual/auditory cross-modal plasticity in prelingually deaf children age 2-10, through the examination of visual evoked potentials in response to motion stimuli and auditory evoked potentials in response to speech sounds. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31DC007007-02
Application #
6950273
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2004-05-02
Project End
2007-05-01
Budget Start
2005-05-02
Budget End
2006-05-01
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$27,830
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas-Dallas
Department
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
800188161
City
Richardson
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75080