A6.1: Project Prospectus

Essential Question:
How has early cochlear implantation in deaf children been more beneficial for language development?
Foundation Questions:
What is a cochlear implant?
Who can be implanted?
What is the prime age for implantation?
How does cochlear implantation affect language development?

Tentative Point: I intend to explain the benefits of cochlear implants and what they are.  I also plan on specifically showing the benefits of cochlear implants in children in regards to language development.

Genres:
1. Webliography- Clinician voice. The potential audience will be students, peers, professionals, anyone interested in cochlear implants, and anyone interested in speech pathology.  I chose this genre because it was required, however it is a good way to present my research topic, personal information, and additional research sources.

2. Poem- Parent/Caregiver voice. The potential audience will be other parents of children with CIs, clinician, family of client, anyone interested in cochlear implants.  I chose this genre because it was assigned.  I feel like this will be a good way to convey the parent’s thoughts, concerns, and hopes. 

3. Powerpoint Presentation- Clinician voice.  The potential audience will be the family/parents of the client.  I chose this genre because it was assigned, but this will allow me to organize the information about cochlear implants, like what they are and how they work.  I also plan to include the difference between cochlear implants and hearing aids. 

4. Podcast- Client voice.  The potential audience will be the client’s family, professionals, students, clinician, and anyone interested in cochlear implants.  I chose this genre because it was required.  The client can show how both deafness and then the cochlear implant has affected  his/her life.

5. Journal Entry- Parent/Caregiver voice. The potential audience will be other parents with children with cochlear implants, professionals, client, and client’s family.  I chose this genre to display the feelings, frustrations, hopes, and wishes of the parent.  The cochlear implant not only directly effects the client, but the family is also effected and plays an important role for the implanted client.

6. Observation report-Clinician voice.  The potential audience will be supervisors, Audiologists, Speech-language pathologists, and the client’s caregiver/parent.  I chose this genre in order to focus on the client’s language development.  It is important to observe the client’s language development after implantation.

7. Interview transcript-Clinician voice.  The potential audience will be the client’s family, professionals, and students.  I chose this genre to gain a closer look at the client and the client’s family.  The interview will contain getting information and giving information with the client/family.

Genre Integration:
I intend to integrate these genres into a cohesive whole by telling a story of a client and the client’s family. By using several different view points I feel my audience will receive an accurate and thorough glimpse into a deaf child with a cochlear implant.  I believe looking at a situation from different perspectives is very enlightening for both me, and my audience.

Tentative Resources:

Brinton, J. (2001). Measuring language development in deaf children with cochlear
    implants. International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 36, 121-
    125. Retrieved September 29, 2006, from the PsychINFO database.

Ertmer, D.J., Strong, L., & Sadagopan, N. (2003). Beginning to communicate after
    cochlear implantation: oral language development in a young child. Journal of
    Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 46, 328-340. Retrieved September 23,
    2006,from the MEDLINE database.

Geers, A. (2002). Factors affecting the development of speech, language, and literacy
    in children with early cochlear implantation. Language, Speech, & Hearing Services
    in Schools, 33, 172-183. Retrieved September 29, 2006, from the Academic Search
    Premier database.

Geers, A. (2006). Factors influencing spoken language outcomes in children following
    early cochlear implantation.  Advances in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 64, 50-65.
    Retrieved September 25, 2006, from the MEDLINE database.

James, D., Rajput, K., Brown, T., Sirimanna, T., Brinton, J.,& Goswami, U. (2005).
    Phonological awareness in deaf children who use cochlear implants. Journal of
    Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 48, 1511-1528. Retrieved
    September 23, 2006, from the MEDLINE database.

Kane, M., Schopmeyer, B., & Mellon, N. (2004).  Prelinguistic communication
    and subsequent language acquisition in children with cochlear implants. Archives
    of Otolarngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 130 (5), 619-623.  Retrived Septmeber
    25, 2006, from the MEDLINE database.

Robbins, A.M. (2003). Communication intervention for infants and toddlers with
    cochlear implants. Topics in Language Disorders, 23, 16-33. Retrieved September
    22, 2006, from the ERIC database.

Schery, T.K., & Peters, M.L. (2003). Developing auditory learning in children with
    cochlear implants.  Topics in Language Disorders, 23, 4-15. Retrieved September
    22, 2006, from the ERIC database.

Seung, H., Holmes, A., Coburn, M. (2005). Twin language development: A case study
    of a twin with a cochlear implant and a twin with typical hearing. The Volta Review,
    105 (2), 175-188.  Retrieved September 29, 2006, from the Academic Search
    Premier database.

Tombline, D.B.,Barker, B.A, Spencer, L.J, Zhang, X., & Gantz, B.J. (2005). The
    effect of age at cochlear implant initial stimulation on expressive language
    growth in infants and toddlers. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research,
    48,853-867.  Retrieved September 23, 2006, from the MEDLINE database.