Tomblin J Bruce, Barker Brittan A, Hubbs Sarah
Child Language Research Center, University of Iowa, IA 52242, USA.
Int J Audiol. 2007 Sep;46(9):512-23. doi: 10.1080/14992020701383043.
Research on pediatric cochlear implantation has frequently shown that speech perception, speech production, and language outcomes are better for children who are implanted earlier in life than later. These findings are often explained on the grounds that earlier implantation takes advantage of a critical or sensitive period. This paper reviews the literature concerning sensitive periods within the framework of speech and language development. It particularly emphasizes two alternate mechanisms proposed for these periods: an experience-independent mechanism, and an experience-dependent mechanism. Based on this literature review we proposed that research in the field of pediatric cochlear implantation needs to carefully define what kind of evidence is needed to reflect a sensitive period for speech and language learning. The field also needs to consider designing studies that allow the viability of these two mechanisms to be tested. An example of such a study is provided within.
关于小儿人工耳蜗植入的研究经常表明，与较晚植入的儿童相比，在生命早期植入的儿童在言语感知、言语产生和语言发展方面表现更好。这些发现通常被解释为早期植入利用了关键期或敏感期。本文在言语和语言发展的框架内回顾了有关敏感期的文献。它特别强调了针对这些时期提出的两种替代机制：一种是与经验无关的机制，另一种是与经验有关的机制。基于这篇文献综述，我们提出小儿人工耳蜗植入领域的研究需要仔细界定需要什么样的证据来反映言语和语言学习的敏感期。该领域还需要考虑设计能够测试这两种机制可行性的研究。本文提供了这样一项研究的示例。
