Unveiling Tech Trends: Exploring Tech Usage Patterns in Young Cochlear Implant Recipients
Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, cilt.57, sa.1, ss.140-149, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 57 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1044/2025_lshss-25-00073
- Dergi Adı: Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, MLA International Bibliography, EBSCO Communication Source, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Communication Source (EBSCO), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Linguistics Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.140-149
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: This study aimed to explore and compare technology usage patterns, preferences, and challenges among young cochlear implant (CI) users and typi-cal hearing (TH) peers, focusing on daily technology interactions, communica-tion behaviors, gaming habits, and music listening methods. Method: The study included 108 participants, consisting of 54 CI users (Mage ± SD = 16.91 ± 3.77 years; 24 female) and 54 TH individuals (Mage ± SD: 19.17 ± 2.76 years; 29 female). CI users were unilateral, bilateral, or bimodal implant users with a minimum of 1 year of device experience. A specially designed questionnaire developed by researchers was employed to collect data on tech-nology use, communication, gaming, demographic details, and device-specific information. A pilot study ensured content validity, followed by refinements and the implementation of a reliable 19-item survey employing a 5-point Likert scale. Data were collected online and in person, and analyses included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses. Results: Significant differences emerged between CI and TH groups in technol-ogy interaction patterns. TH participants scored higher in areas such as voice communication via phones, internet-based communication tools, and AI appli-cation usage (all p <.05), whereas CI users demonstrated higher engagement in gaming activities and preferred text-based over voice-based communication during gaming (all p <.05). Additionally, music listening methods differed signifi-cantly, with TH participants favoring wireless transmission and CI users prefer-ring external speakers (p <.001). Older CI users showed higher engagement with various technologies, yet duration of CI use had limited correlation with technology utilization. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the necessity of recognizing and address-ing the unique technological preferences and challenges of young CI users. Enhancing accessibility features and providing targeted educational support can significantly improve their technological interactions and overall integration into the digital environment.