Characteristics of Joint Attention and Maternal Cues in Mother-Child Interactions for Toddlers with Cochlear Implants

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the differences in the establishment of joint attention between the cochlear implant (CI) group and the typical hearing (TH) group during mother-child interactions and to explore the relationship between the joint attention variables and language development abilities in young children with CIs. Methods: Thirteen pairs of hearing mothers and children with CIs and seventeen pairs of mothers and children with TH participated in this study. Their interactions during a 20-minute free-play task were recorded using digital cameras. Results: The frequency of joint attention attempts in the CI group was significantly higher than in the TH group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the success rate of joint attention; however, there was a considerable difference in the time ratio of joint attention and joint attention span. Children’s language scores were significantly correlated with the success rate of joint attention, the time ratio of joint attention, and joint attention span in the CI group. Conclusion: We observed the mothers’ efforts to establish joint attention with their children with CIs. These results suggest that children with CIs are more likely to have less time for joint attention during parent-child interactions. These findings can inform the development of parent-coaching programs in early auditory intervention for children with CIs.