A Cochlear implant (CI) is an electronic device that restores some components of hearing to a subset of deaf children and adults. This surgically implanted device often brings about significant speech and language improvement, along with the ability to hear. However, the improvement in speech and language capabilities varies greatly. It is thought that the mixed results in the area of speech/language is caused by differences in the underlying cognitive functions responsible for learning and organizing visual and audio stimuli, namely, the working memory.

Approximately 200,000 people worldwide have received a cochlear implant. Because language learning and development require the individual to follow, retain, and understand auditory information, working memory is likely to be a core component of language development following CI. Research has demonstrated lower verbal working memory capacity in children with CI – and that CI users with a stronger working memory perform better on a range of spoken word recognition tasks. This suggests working memory may be a key component in the development of speech-language skills in CI users, and differences in working memory skills may explain some of the variability in post-implant speech-language outcomes. Because of this, it is clear that CI users may benefit greatly from improving working memory capacity through Cogmed training. Researchers want to improve speech/language capabilities in children who receive CIs, by investigating the effects of Cogmed training on working memory capacity and related speech-language processes.