Tracking aural (Re)habilitation outcomes with the mandarin auditory skills checklist: Normative data and clinical insights.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to establish a clinically robust and time-efficient tool for tracking auditory development in young children undergoing early intervention. By building upon the Auditory Skills Checklist (ASC), the study introduced a validated short form (ASC-SF), developed age-based norms, and demonstrated its real-world applicability using large-scale data from Mandarin-speaking children. While adapted for a specific linguistic context, the tool's design and methodology are broadly transferable and relevant to pediatric audiology across diverse populations.

METHODS The Mandarin ASC and ASC-SF were respectively administered to 520 children with normal hearing (NH) aged 0-78 months, and 357 children with hearing loss (HL) aged 8-78 months receiving auditory-verbal (AV) therapy. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion-related validity with the Parent's Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) scale. Normative curves were derived using a logistic function fitted to parent-reported ASC scores from NH children. Large-scale cross-sectional data using the ASC-SF were analyzed to track developmental outcomes in children with HL by both chronological age and duration of intervention. Case studies were also included to demonstrate how ASC results can guide individualized goal setting and intervention adjustment.

RESULTS The Mandarin ASC demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.97) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.97, p < 0.00001). Criterion validity was strong with PEACH scores (r = 0.94, p < 0.00001). Normative data showed age-related increases in auditory skills, with median scores reaching 93% by age four. Among children with HL, approximately 70% achieved comparable auditory skills to their NH peers by age two, 80% by age four, and 90% by age six. Based on AV intervention duration, over 80% reached age-appropriate auditory skills after two years, and over 90% after four years. Subscale analyses and case studies further demonstrated how the ASC framework supports individualized progress monitoring and clinical decision-making.

CONCLUSION The Mandarin ASC is a valid, reliable, and clinically valuable tool for tracking auditory development in Mandarin-speaking children. The ASC-SF extends its practicality by enabling efficient routine follow-up in large clinical populations. With age-specific norms, case-based interpretation, and flexible formats, the ASC provides a robust framework for evaluating intervention outcomes, setting personalized goals, and communicating progress with families in pediatric audiology and aural (re)habilitation.