FEATURES OF SPEECH RECOGNITION AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES IN COCHLEAR IMPLANT USERS IN THE EARLY REHABILITATION PERIOD

Goal. To investigate the improvement of speech recognition and neurophysiological characteristics in cochlear implant (CI) users within 180 days after device activation. Materials and methods. The study was conducted with the participation of fifteen people from the healthy control group (HC) and six cochlear implant users with postlingual deafness at the private clinic “Zdorovye” in Makhachkala from January 2023 to September 2024. Speech recognition and ERP parameters (N1, P2, and MMN) were evaluated. Results. CI users have demonstrated significant improvements in speech recognition, with an increase from 25.5% at the time of activation to 57.6% after 180 days. The latency and amplitude of components N1 and P2 also improved, gradually approaching those of the HC group. Conclusions. Cochlear implantation significantly improves speech recognition and hearing adaptation due to neurophysiological changes. Additional research may improve the techniques for adjusting implants to achieve rehabilitation goals faster.