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Testing materials by DeVault Lab researchers

To further advance treatment and outcomes for children with cochlear implants, researchers in the DeVault Lab have developed several tests of language, behavior, neurocognitive functioning, and family functioning. These tests are available to researchers and clinical professionals with the proviso that proper citation be provided when results are reported. Copies of any publications that may result from use of these tests are also welcomed.
  • Beginners Intelligibility Test
    An objective measure of a child’s speech intelligibility, the Beginner’s Intelligibility Test  uses an audio recording of a child’s elicited production of ten sentences. If the child can read, it is acceptable to have them read the sentences. The digitized sentences are then played to a panel of listeners with no prior experience in listening to speech produced by children with severe to profound hearing impairment. The listeners write what they think the child has said. The average percentage of words correctly understood by the panel is determined.
  • Common Phrases Test
    The Common Phrases Test assesses identification of simple sentences in a modified open set under three conditions: visual cues only, auditory cues only, and combined auditory plus visual cues. Test items contain familiar phrases used in everyday situations. Children are provided pretest familiarization of the item topics, and performance is scored in terms of the percentage of phrases correctly understood.
  • Conduct-Hyperactive-Attention Problem-Oppositional Scale (CHAOS)
    The CHAOS is a behavior checklist measure of attention problems, impulsivity, oppositional behavior and rule-breaking in children and adolescents.
  • Learning, Executive and Attention Functioning Scale (LEAF)
    The LEAF is a 55-item caregiver- or self-report questionnaire that assesses executive functions, related neurocognitive functions, and academic skills in children and adults.
  • Outburst Monitoring Scale (OMS)

    The OMS is a 20-item caregiver behavior checklist which measures of specific types of outbursts, including verbal and physical aggression directed toward self, property, and others.

  • Quality of Hearing Scale - Revised (QHS-R)

    The QHS-R is a modified version of the Speech Spatial Qualities scale.  It is a 20-item caregiver- and self-report questionnaire that measures functional everyday hearing quality in children, adolescents, and adults. The QHS-R is a revision of the QHS with minor changes to the wording and rating scale.

  • Lexical Neighborhood Test (LNT)
    Lexical Neighborhood Tests (LNT-MLNT) were developed primarily for use with children who use cochlear implants. These open-set word recognition tests have provided important diagnostic information relative to the benefits of sensory aids. Results gained from these tests indicate the extent of neural representation of words in a child’s long-term lexical memory.
  • Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (MAIS)
    Using caregiver/teacher observations of a child’s behavior, the MAIS examines meaningful use of sound in everyday situations. This scale begins with the evaluation of detection and progresses through the increasingly difficult skill levels of discrimination, identification, and comprehension of speech stimuli. Responses to ten questions are assigned scores of 0-4, depending upon the consistency of the behavior. A composite score is obtained.
  • Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS)

    The IT-MAIS is based on the MAIS with modifications on the first 2 of 10 questions to enable it to be used with infants and toddlers under age 3.

  • Meaningful Use of Speech Scale MUSS
    The Meaningful Use of Speech Scale is a caregiver/teacher report scale that assesses a child’s use of speech in everyday situations. Similar to the MAIS scale, the MUSS assigns scores from 0-4 on 10 questions, based upon how often a child displays a particular speech skill. A composite score is obtained.
  • Minimal Pairs Test
    The Minimal Pairs Test consists of pairs of pictured words, with members of a pair differing in terms of a single vowel or consonant. Vowel items are analyzed in terms of the features of vowel height and place; consonant items are analyzed in terms of the features of voicing, manner, and place. Chance performance is 50%.
  • Mr Potato Head Task
    The Mr. Potato Head Task is a modified open-set measure that requires the child to manipulate toys in response to instructions presented in the auditory-only modality (such as “Put a hat on Mr. Potato Head” or “Make Mr. Potato Head go to sleep.”). Ten instructions are presented and scored on the basis of the number of key words correct (out of a possible 20) and sentences correct (out of a possible 10). Sentence chance performance is 0%, and word chance performance is 5%.