Abstract:
The benefits of cochlear implantation in children with severe hearing impairments are widely known; however, there is no consensus regarding
which minimal outcome measurements (MOMs) should be used to determine outcomes in this population with pediatric cochlear implant
(CI). Therefore, the authors aim to propose a MOM test battery for pediatric CI recipients that can facilitate international multi-center
research and collaboration. A pediatric MOM test battery was developed and agreed-upon by members of the HEARRING group across 30
expert clinics in the field of hearing implantation. The MOM test battery was chosen based on a literature search that focused on outcome
measurements applied in clinical trials involving children with a hearing implant. Members of the HEARRING group were then asked to evaluate
each of the pediatric MOM tests used. The final pediatric MOM test battery was defined for different chronological age categories (six
weeks–18 years) at different suggested test intervals. The test battery includes objective hearing measurements, aided and unaided audiometry,
speech perception tests in quiet and in noise, subjective hearing assessments, assessment of language development, and mental and
motor development. This study presents a consensus on a MOM test battery for pediatric CI recipients that was agreed upon by members of
the HEARRING group. This test battery should allow for international multi-center research to be able to extend and share evidence that will
guide future clinical practice and research efforts in pediatric populations with CI.
