FLI-P(J) Normative Data
Description
Overview & Research Aim This dataset accompanies our research establishing the first Japanese-language normative reference curves for the Functional Listening Index - Paediatric (FLI-P), a 64-item hierarchical checklist tracking functional listening development from birth to six years of age. The primary hypothesis was that the developmental progression of listening skills in typically hearing Japanese-speaking children would be broadly comparable to established English-language benchmarks (Cowan et al., 2024), validating the tool's cross-linguistic applicability. Data Collection & Composition The data consists of cross-sectional survey responses from caregivers in Japan, gathered via a commercial online market research panel (ASMARQ Co. Ltd.). Caregivers completed the translated Japanese survey (FLI-P(J)), rating their child's listening behaviors as either "Mostly" or "Rarely." Critically, the file provided here is the full, uncleaned raw dataset (N = 2,976) of children aged 2 to 73 months. We intentionally provide the raw data rather than the final filtered analytic sample (N = 2,483) to allow researchers to fully replicate our data cleaning and analysis pipeline. The dataset includes variables identifying cases with caregiver-reported hearing, language, or developmental concerns. A copy of the Japanese survey instrument is also included. Please note that this attached document reflects the specific formatting and layout required for the online survey administration used in this study. Consequently, its appearance differs from the standard clinical versions of the FLI-P available for download on The Shepherd Centre's website. What the Data Shows & Notable Findings When filtered for typical development, total FLI-P(J) scores show rapid growth across the first three years of life, followed by a gradual plateau approaching the maximum score in the later preschool years. The 50th and 90th percentile trajectories align closely with published English-language norms. Furthermore, when the clinically flagged cases (those with reported hearing or developmental concerns) are superimposed onto these normative developmental trajectories, the majority fall at or below the 5th percentile, supporting the clinical validity of the instrument. Interpretation & Data Usage Researchers and clinicians can use this raw dataset to: 1. Replicate our data cleaning process (excluding clinical flags, implausible zero scores, and IQR-based statistical outliers) to arrive at the normative sample. 2. Model developmental percentile curves and conduct cross-linguistic comparisons of auditory skill acquisition. 3. Re-introduce the clinically flagged cases to superimpose their scores against the typical developmental trajectories, replicating our verification of the tool's sensitivity to delays.
Files
Steps to reproduce
Full details regarding the data cleaning pipeline (including the removal of clinical flags and IQR-based outlier exclusion), statistical modeling of the four-parameter logistic percentile curves, and superimposition analyses are described in the Methodology section of the associated manuscript (currently under review at Children). Please refer to the published paper for complete instructions on reproducing this analysis.
Institutions
- Musashi UniversityTokyo, Tokyo