Analysis of phonological criteria in Egyptian Arabic speaking children using cochlear implant

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the most common segmental and supra-segmental phonological criteria of the Egyptian Arabic speaking children using CI. This may lead to; better understanding of speech progress and planning individualized therapy programs for these children. Methods: This study included 43 children using cochlear implant (23 males and 20 females), from the clients of the phoniatric unit of ORL Department Zagazig University, at the period from September 2017 to April 2019. The age ranged between 4 to 10 years old. All children had assessments of their language and speech features (phonological patterns, segmental and supra-segmental) and speech intelligibility, then the results were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: The participants of the study exhibited many types of developmental patterns; e.g., Cluster reduction, final consonant deletions, assimilation and substitutions. There were also fewer incidences of non-developmental phonological patterns. The sequence of acquisition of segmental phonological development revealed the following sequence: Bilabial sounds acquired first (oral /b/ before nasal /m/), then lingu-alveolar, then fricatives, then velar and back sounds and lastly laterals and glides. All studied segmental, supra-segmental features and speech intelligibility were correlated with the CI usage period. Conclusion: The speech of the Egyptian CI children shows many developmental phonological patterns as well as non-developmental ones. The sequence of phonemic development revealed that anterior sounds precede posterior ones, oral sounds precede nasal ones and stops precede fricatives. Glides and laterals showed very late acquisition. All segmental and supra-segmental disturbances improved gradually with regular use of CI and attending speech therapy plans.