Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Evaluating the Cochlear Implant Competence of Caregivers, Educators, and Speech-Language Service Providers With the
Kristen E T Thornton1,2, Cassandra Bosworth3, Anne M Smith4
1Department of Behavioural Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to adapt the Cochlear Implant Skills Review to assess the real-time demonstration of skills and device knowledge of the adults who care for their child's, client's, or student's cochlear implant (CI). This study also sought to assess inter- and intrarater reliability of the newly adapted Pediatric Cochlear Implant Skills Review (Ped-CISR) and provide evidence for its construct validity by assessing group performance differences.
Method:
The Ped-CISR was administered to (a) caregivers of new pediatric CI recipients (less than 1 year of device use), (b) caregivers of experienced pediatric CI recipients (greater than 1 year of device use), (c) educators of the deaf and hard of hearing, and (d) speech-language service providers working in an educational or hospital setting. Participant skills and knowledge were scored by three independent raters. One rater rewatched and rescored each session at least 4 weeks following initial review. Inter- and intrarater reliability and agreement were assessed for all raters, and between-groups differences were analyzed.
Results:
Reliability across all raters was high with an intraclass correlation coefficient of .801, 95% confidence interval [.785, .817]. There were no significant between-groups differences on the total score of the Ped-CISR; however, participant groups demonstrated significantly different knowledge and skills in the Battery and Indicator Light subcategories.
Conclusion:
The Ped-CISR is a valuable clinical tool to help identify deficits in knowledge and skills of caregivers, educators, and speech-language service providers of children who use CIs.
