OBJECTIVETo analyze the auditory capability of preschool children before and after cochlear implantation using meaningful auditory integration scale (MAIS) questionnaire.

METHODSEighty-two prelingually deaf patients participated in this study. They received a cochlear implant at the age of 3 to 6 years and 11 months. The audiologists who were trained for the research used the MAIS questionnaire. Audiologists asked for the parents' answers and recorded all the information about the device using (Q1,2) and the patient's spontaneous auditory behavioural responses including spontaneous alerting to sound Q3 approximately 6 and deriving meaning from sound (Q7 approximately 10). The evaluation was performed before operation and 1 , 3, 6 months, 1, 1.5, 2 years after switch-on.

RESULTSThe scores of question 1a and 1b were not significantly different among the different periods after switch-on. The scores of question 2 to 10 were significantly different among the different periods after switch-on.

CONCLUSIONSConsiderable variability across subjects' auditory ability after cochlear implantation was noted. Most of the patients showed no consistent response to sound in everyday life before implantation. After cochlear implantation, a significant increase in auditory capability occurred. The children demonstrated faster development of device using relative to spontaneous alerting to sound and deriving meaning from sound.