• Age of onset of deafness (Barnes, Franz, and Bruce 1994)
• Duration of deafness (Barnes, Franz, and Bruce 1994)
• Age of implantation (Barnes, Franz, and Bruce 1994)
  -if the child is implanted during the prime language learning years (birth-six), it has been found that the child will learn oral language rules easier.
  -younger children begin to use both receptive and expressive oral language skills effectively within the first year of implantation.
  -early implantation of congenitally and prelingually deaf children provides them with an enhanced opportunity to acquire an oral language system.

• Neural supply and responsiveness (Nevins and Chute 1996)
• Central processing abilities (Nevins and Chute 1996)
• Good auditory training and learning (Nevins and Chute 1996)
• Integrity of cochlea (Nevins and Chute 1996)
• Presence of other physical or cognitive involvement (Nevins and Chute 1996)
• Method of communication during the pre-implant period (Nevins and Chute 1996)
• Geographical availability of appropriate educational programs (Nevins and Chute 1996)
• Parental and school support (Nevins and Chute 1996)

I feel that the above information is important to keep in mind when a child is either being considered for a cochlear implant or after a child has received one and is beginning the education process with the cochlear implant. When parents are considering a cochlear implant for their child, they should consider if their child meets the factors that are listed above. If the child does not meet all or some of these factors, then he or she may not be a good candidate for a cochlear implant. If the child is implanted and then has difficulty because he or she did not meet all or some of the factors than the child may be getting set up for more disappointment and maybe even failure.

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