This study seeks to analyse the relationship between behaviour problems in deaf children and their auditory and communication
development subsequent to cochlear implantation and to examine the incidence of these problems in comparison to their hearing peers. Method: This study uses an ex post facto prospective design with a sample of 208 Spanish children, of whom 104 were deaf subjects with cochlear implants. The fi rst objective assesses the relationships between behaviour problems, auditory integration, and social and communication skills in the group of deaf children. The second compares the frequency and intensity
of behaviour problems of the group of deaf children with their hearing peers. Results: The correlation analysis showed a signifi cant association between the internal index of behaviour problems and auditory integration and communication skills, such that deaf children with greater auditory and communication development had no behaviour problems. When comparing behaviour problems in deaf children versus their hearing peers, behavioural disturbances are signifi cantly more frequent in the former.
Conclusions: According to these fi ndings, cochlear implants may not guarantee adequate auditory and communicative development that would normalise the behaviour of deaf children.
