There is data which indicates that the critical/sensitive period(s) for language development begins in the 6th month of fetal life and may be most susceptible to impairment during the first 2 years of life. There are observations which would indicate that the linguistic abilities which develop are dependent upon the amount of linguistic information available to the infant and are not dependent upon any particular receptive sensory mode. The challenge for the cochlear implant is to be able to transmit sufficient linguistic information--flux of information--during this period so that the resultant language is optimal. Language must be the primary outcome measure of the cochlear implant in the infant and young child.