The effectiveness of communication strategy training with adult cochlear implantees

This study evaluated changes in repair strategy use by adult cochlear implantees following a communication training program that emphasized the use of communication repair strategies. Fifteen subjects, male and female, pre- and postlingually deafened adults, participated. The experimental group completed a four-session training program. The control group received no intervention. Evaluations were performed preintervention, postintervention, and at a 5- to 7-week follow-up with both familiar and unfamiliar communication partners. A video analysis technique was implemented. Video analysis showed that subjects often requested repetition (verbal/nonverbal), confirmation, or repetition of a specific portion of an utterance. Other repair strategies were rarely used. Results showed no significant change in the use of repair strategies for the control or experimental groups. Findings suggest that the training program was not effective with the present subject group or that the video analysis measure was not sufficiently sensitive to detect a change in communication behavior. It is suggested that some repair strategies may not comply with the rules of normal conversation.