Article

The aim of this study was to compare spoken language production in children
with permanent childhood hearing impairment (PCHI) whose PCHI was confirmed
either early or late. Method Audio-taped spoken narrative was assessed for
syntax, phonology, morphology, and narrative in transcripts from a
population-based sample of 89 children (49 males, 40 females; age mean age 7y
7mo, SD1y 1mo, range 6y 6mo-10y 9mo) with bilateral PCHI (>/=40dB hearing loss)
and a comparison group of 63 children (37 males, 26 females; mean age 8y 1mo; SD
1y) with normal hearing. Of the 89 children with PCHI, 41 (21 males, 20 females)
had their hearing impairment confirmed by the age of 9 months. All children with
PCHI were tested with hearing aids in place, including 16 with cochlear implants.
The group of children whose PCHI had been confirmed by age 9 months was compared
with the group with later confirmation of PCHI using regression models on the
outcome measures. Results Compared with those with late-confirmed PCHI, children
with early-confirmed PCHI used significantly more sentences (mean difference 2.7;
95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-5.24; p=0.019) and categories of high-pitched
morphological markers (mean difference 6.64; 95% CI 1.96-11.31; p=0.006). The
number of categories of low-pitched morphological markers, phonological
simplifications, and sentences with multiple clauses did not differ between
groups. The odds ratios (95% CI) of superior narrative structure and narrative
content in children whose PCHI was confirmed early were 3.03 (1.09-8.46; p=0.034)
and 4.43 (1.52-12.89; p=0.006) respectively. Interpretation Early confirmation
compared with late confirmation of PCHI was associated with benefit to narrative
skills and to certain expressive aspects of syntax and morphology, but not
expressive phonology.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2010.

Langue : ANGLAIS