Listening comprehension of school-age children with cochlear implants: a story of perception and language

Listening comprehension is important for oral communication, but little is known about it in children using cochlear implants (CIs). Hence, we explored discourse-level listening comprehension in CI users and their typical hearing (TH) peers. DESIGN AND

Audiologists and educators working with pediatric cochlear implant users should assess both speech perception and broader language abilities when evaluating listening comprehension, as neither alone fully explains outcomes at the discourse level.

Understanding what drives listening comprehension at the discourse level — beyond basic speech perception — can help clinicians and educators better target rehabilitation and support for school-age children with cochlear implants.

1. 01Study examines discourse-level listening comprehension in school-age cochlear implant users.
2. 02Explores the relative contributions of speech perception and language skills to comprehension.
3. 03Published in International Journal of Audiology (DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2026.2664659).
4. 04Findings could inform more holistic rehabilitation goals beyond audibility alone.
5. 05Highlights that language skill is a distinct and important factor alongside speech perception.

PMID

42218811

DOI

10.1080/14992027.2026.2664659.

Journal

International Journal of Audiology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

School-age children with cochlear implants

Intervention

Assessment of discourse-level listening comprehension