Cochlear Implant Research

This VL2 research briefs debunks the misconception that visual language inhibits long-term spoken language outcomes. In fact, a review of the research in neuroscience demonstrates that the brain has the ability to acquire both a visual and spoken language without harm to the development of either language. There is increasing evidence that early competence in a visual language can then be effectively used to support and facilitate a child’s spoken language development. This brief summarizes numerous studies documenting the advantages of visual language for the linguistic, communicative, cognitive, academic, literacy, and psycho-social development of children and adolescents with cochlear implants.