Adapting the Mainzer Audiometric Test for Children (MATCH) into another language

Methodological Guide for the Adaptation of Pediatric Speech Audiometry Tests Into Other Languages

Observational Semmelweis University · NCT07156825

This project tries to adapt and standardize a children's speech hearing test (MATCH) into another language so clinicians can measure how well 3–6-year-olds with and without hearing loss understand speech.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages2 Years to 7 Years
SexAll
SponsorSemmelweis University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Budapest)
Trial IDNCT07156825 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This methodological observational project provides a step-by-step protocol for translating and standardizing the Mainzer Audiometric Test for Children (MATCH) into another language. The protocol is divided into six phases including selecting test items and validating picture recognizability in children, ensuring linguistic conformity by comparing phoneme distributions to spontaneous speech, and recording materials in an ISO-standard sound-treated environment. It then equalizes item intelligibility via adult speech-recognition testing, standardizes scores on age-stratified cohorts of normal-hearing children, and finally compares speech recognition thresholds to establish diagnostic validity in children with stable sensorineural hearing loss. The work is intended as a transferable framework for languages that currently lack validated pediatric speech-audiometry materials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are preschool-aged children (approximately 3–6 years old) with normal hearing for standardization cohorts or with stable sensorineural hearing loss for diagnostic validation cohorts.

Not a fit: Children with active upper respiratory infections, known speech-language developmental disorders, or cognitive disorders are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this adapted test.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the protocol would allow reliable speech audiometry for young children in languages that lack validated tests, improving diagnosis and hearing-device fitting.

How similar studies have performed: While individual language-specific adaptations of pediatric speech tests exist, this is presented as the first comprehensive universal protocol that systematically integrates linguistic, phonological, and audiological considerations.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age: limits for age groups: 2-4,5; 4,5-5,5; 5,5-7, respectively.
* For control goups: normal hearing verified by pure tone audiometry and tympanometry
* For hearing-impairment groups: stable sensorineural hearing loss confirmed by audiological diagnostics

Exclusion Criteria:

* Children presenting with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections
* Known speech-language developmental disorders
* Cognitive disorders

Where this trial is running

Budapest

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Hearing LossScreeningAudiometry, SpeechSpeech PerceptionSpeech Reception Threshold TestSpeech IntelligibilitySpeechAuditory Threshold
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.