title: Adaptation and validation of Common Object Token (COT) test into the Sinhalese language.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This manuscript presents a translation and adaptation of the Common Object Token (COT) test, which assesses speech perception, into the Sinhalese language and an attempt to validate it for use on children with normal hearing (NH) and children with a cochlear implant (CI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-five children (70 with NH, 25 with a CI) participated in the study. The COT test was translated, back-translated, and evaluated by a team of experts until the Sinhalese translation was deemed acceptable. Data of Sinhalese children with NH and values of children with a CI were analysed. Internal reliability and consistency of the COT total score were determined. Lastly, a quick version of the COT test was created.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total mean scores and subtest mean scores improved with age for children with NH. For children with a CI, a strong relationship between the COT total score and device experience, i.e. hearing age, was found. A Quick Sinhalese COT test version, suitable for children with a CI, could be created from Subtests 2, 3, and 4.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Sinhalese COT test is valid for assessing the age-related development of speech perception and identification skills of children with NH. Results suggest that the COT is valid for use in children with a CI.
authors.affiliation: MED-EL India, Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: Janani.Jeyaraman@medel.com.
authors.forename: Janani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeyaraman
authors.affiliation: MED-EL India, Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Chameera
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kumarasinghe
authors.affiliation: MED-EL India, Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shabnam Fathima
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Mohamed Rafi
authors.affiliation: MEDCON Pvt Ltd, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Thirimadura Lakna Amalie
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Mendis
authors.affiliation: MEDCON Pvt Ltd, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Fathima Shameema
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Abdul Rasheed
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019929:Cochlear Implantation / Q000379:methods; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013188:Sri Lanka; D014175:Translating
keywords: COT test; Cochlear implant; Paediatric assessment; Speech perception; Test adaptation