Cochlear implants did not enable hearing in deaf-from-birth cats that received them when fully grown, rather than as 8-week-old infants. This illustrates the importance of ________ for normal sensory development.

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The fact that cochlear implants did not enable hearing in deaf-from-birth cats that received them when fully grown, rather than as 8-week-old infants, illustrates the importance of a critical period for normal sensory development. During this critical period, there is a limited time window where the brain is able to develop the neural connections necessary for normal sensory function. If this window is missed, it may not be possible for the brain to fully develop these connections even with the aid of technologies such as cochlear implants.

Cochlear Implants Did Not Enable Hearing in Deaf-From-Birth Cats That