Supplementary Material for: Lexical Processing of Children with Hearing Loss Using Bilateral Devices –Associations with Music Perception Skills

Introduction: Hearing loss (HL) poses a risk for challenges in lexical processing. While music perception skills are linked to improved lexical processing in normal hearing (NH) children, these connections are rarely evaluated in children with bilateral HL who use bilateral hearing devices. This study aimed to investigate lexical processing skills and their associations with music perception skills in children with bilateral HL to improve their assessment and rehabilitation. Methods: The study included 20 children aged 2 to 6 years with HL using bilateral cochlear implants, hearing aids, or bimodal devices from an early age and 26 age-matched peers with NH. Lexical processing was assessed through nonword repetition and semantic verbal fluency tasks. Music perception skills and background factors were evaluated using parent-reported questionnaires. Results: Children with HL were significantly outperformed by their NH peers in repeating segmental and prosodic aspects of nonwords. Linear regression analysis revealed that better music perception skills were linked to improved performance in nonword repetition and semantic verbal fluency tasks in both children with HL and NH. Conclusion: Children using bilateral hearing devices extensively from an early age had difficulties in early stages of lexical processing, measured with segmental and prosodic nonword repetition. It is essential to consider these skills when assessing lexical development and planning rehabilitation for young children with HL. The role of music perception in improving lexical processing in this population warrants investigation.

引言：听力损失（Hearing Loss, HL）会提升个体在词汇加工过程中遭遇困难的风险。尽管音乐感知能力与正常听力（Normal Hearing, NH）儿童的词汇加工能力提升存在关联，但针对自幼佩戴双侧听觉装置的双侧听力损失儿童，这类关联的相关研究却极为匮乏。本研究旨在探究双侧听力损失儿童的词汇加工能力及其与音乐感知能力的关联，以优化该群体的评估与康复方案。
方法：本研究纳入20名2~6岁的双侧听力损失儿童，他们自幼佩戴双侧人工耳蜗（cochlear implants）、助听器（hearing aids）或双模式听觉装置（bimodal devices），同时纳入26名年龄匹配的正常听力儿童作为对照。词汇加工能力通过非词重复（nonword repetition）任务与语义言语流畅性（semantic verbal fluency）任务进行评估；音乐感知能力与背景因素则采用家长填报的问卷开展测评。
结果：在非词的音段与韵律维度重复任务中，正常听力儿童的表现显著优于听力损失儿童。线性回归分析（linear regression analysis）显示，在听力损失儿童与正常听力儿童两个群体中，更优秀的音乐感知能力均与非词重复任务及语义言语流畅性任务的更佳表现存在显著关联。
结论：自幼长期佩戴双侧听觉装置的听力损失儿童，在以音段与韵律非词重复任务衡量的词汇加工早期阶段存在明显困难。在评估该类幼儿的词汇发展水平并制定康复计划时，需将此类能力纳入考量范畴。音乐感知能力对该群体词汇加工能力的提升作用，仍有待进一步的研究探索。