LAUSR

Abstract Background: The SIR scale has been widely used to measure speech improvement in late-implanted prelingually deafened adolescents and adults. However the ceiling effect of the SIR scale may lead to the loss of some information. Aim/objectives: To evaluate the oral ability of late-implanted prelingually deafened adolescents and adults using the MUSS and SIR scale and to analyse the relationship between the SIR score and the MUSS score. Material and methods: Ninety-four prelingually deafened adolescents and adults who had received cochlear implants were investigated. The MUSS and SIR scale were used to evaluate oral ability. Results: The relationship between the duration of implant use and the MUSS score was significantly different. No significant differences were found among the groups for age at implantation, gender and side of cochlear implantation. The total score on the MUSS was positively correlated with the SIR score. Conclusions and significance: The MUSS and the SIR scale could be used to evaluate the oral ability of late implanted patients. The SIR scale could be used to perform a rapid assessment and the MUSS could help provide more information. The combination of the two scales could be used to evaluate vocal ability more accurately and effectively.