Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
EARS® (Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech): an internationally validated assessment tool for children
Barbara Esser-Leyding1, Ilona Anderson
1Cochlear Implant Centrum Wilhelm Hirte, Gehaegestrasse 28–30, Hannover, Germany. esser-leyding@hka.de
Objectives:
The use of cochlear implants in the rehabilitation of hearing-impaired patients is now widely established and offers great benefits for children. To evaluate these benefits, the Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech (EARS®) assessment tool was designed in 1995. The objectives of this study were to assess the auditory perceptual skills in a large paediatric population over time, as well as to provide standardised values.
Methods:
An international multicentre study was conducted in 35 clinics from 1996 to 2009. During this period, 765 children were assessed with the EARS in 10 test intervals: pre-operative, first fitting and then 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the first fitting and annually thereafter, up to a maximum period of 5 years.
Results:
The auditory skills improved significantly over time for all speech perception tests and questionnaires as well as between single test intervals: pre-operative to 6 months, 6 months to 1 year and 1 year to 2 years. Standardised values of the children stratified according to their age at implantation were calculated.
Conclusions:
The auditory perceptual skills significantly improved over time. The standardised values will help professionals set therapeutic goals and counsel parents accordingly.
