What does this research mean for the field?

Between-ear speech perception asymmetry negatively affects sound localization skills, but does not impact spoken language or reading abilities, in adolescents with cochlear implants. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the effects of between-ear speech perception asymmetry on sound localization, spoken language, and reading comprehension in adolescents with early cochlear implants.

September 15, 2026Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research

The Effect of Between-Ear Speech Perception Asymmetry on Localization, Spoken Language, and Literacy for Adolescents With Cochlear Implants

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Authors

LDLisa S. DavidsonWashington University in St. Louis RURosalie M. UchanskiWashington University in St. Louis AGAnn E. GeersThe University of Texas at Dallas

Discussion

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Implication

Observational study reveals that between-ear speech perception asymmetry impairs sound localization but spares language in adolescent cochlear implant users, highlighting critical timing for...

Key Points

To examine the effects of between-ear speech perception asymmetry on sound localization, spoken language, and reading comprehension in adolescents with early cochlear implants.
Assessed 80 adolescents with long-term bilateral auditory device experience: 10 bimodal users (cochlear implant plus contralateral hearing aid) and 70 bilateral cochlear implant users (14 simultaneous, 56 sequential).
Conducted tests of sound localization, unilateral speech perception, receptive language, and reading, using principal component analysis to derive composite asymmetry scores and hierarchical regression to evaluate outcomes.
Sound localization scores did not differ significantly between simultaneous and sequential bilateral cochlear implant groups, though both groups scored significantly higher than the bimodal group.
Spoken language and reading scores did not differ significantly across the three device groups.
Larger between-ear speech perception asymmetry significantly worsened localization scores but had no significant effect on spoken language or reading outcomes.

Cite This Study

Davidson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913d99013453be30a2122 https://doi.org/10.1044/2026_jslhr-25-01063

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September 15, 2026Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research

The Effect of Between-Ear Speech Perception Asymmetry on Localization, Spoken Language, and Literacy for Adolescents With Cochlear Implants

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

LDLisa S. DavidsonWashington University in St. Louis RURosalie M. UchanskiWashington University in St. Louis AGAnn E. GeersThe University of Texas at Dallas

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Observational study reveals that between-ear speech perception asymmetry impairs sound localization but spares language in adolescent cochlear implant users, highlighting critical timing for...

Key Points

To examine the effects of between-ear speech perception asymmetry on sound localization, spoken language, and reading comprehension in adolescents with early cochlear implants.
Assessed 80 adolescents with long-term bilateral auditory device experience: 10 bimodal users (cochlear implant plus contralateral hearing aid) and 70 bilateral cochlear implant users (14 simultaneous, 56 sequential).
Conducted tests of sound localization, unilateral speech perception, receptive language, and reading, using principal component analysis to derive composite asymmetry scores and hierarchical regression to evaluate outcomes.
Sound localization scores did not differ significantly between simultaneous and sequential bilateral cochlear implant groups, though both groups scored significantly higher than the bimodal group.
Spoken language and reading scores did not differ significantly across the three device groups.
Larger between-ear speech perception asymmetry significantly worsened localization scores but had no significant effect on spoken language or reading outcomes.

Cite This Study

Davidson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913d99013453be30a2122 https://doi.org/10.1044/2026_jslhr-25-01063

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