This study aimed to examine the effects of between-ear speech perception asymmetry on localization, spoken language, and reading in adolescents with early cochlear implants (CIs).
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists managing adolescent cochlear implant users should assess between-ear speech perception asymmetry, as it may be associated with poorer sound localization, spoken language, and literacy outcomes—though the cross-sectional or observational nature of the study limits causal conclusions.
Understanding how ear-to-ear hearing imbalance shapes language and literacy development in CI users could guide bilateral fitting strategies and rehabilitation targets for adolescents.
- 01Between-ear speech perception asymmetry was the primary predictor variable examined in adolescent CI users.
- 02Outcomes measured included sound localization, spoken language ability, and literacy (reading).
- 03Participants received cochlear implants early in life, allowing study of long-term developmental effects.
- 04Findings may have implications for optimizing bilateral CI programming to minimize asymmetry.
- 05Published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (JSLHR).
Between-ear speech perception asymmetry negatively affects sound localization in adolescents with cochlear implants.
studypartially supportedBetween-ear speech perception asymmetry is associated with poorer spoken language and literacy outcomes in adolescent CI users.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42735423
- DOI
- 10.1044/2026_JSLHR-25-01063.
- Journal
- Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Adolescents with early-fitted bilateral cochlear implants
- Intervention
- Assessment of between-ear speech perception asymmetry
Primary outcomes
Sound localization ability; Spoken language performance; Literacy / reading outcomes