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Language and hearing outcomes of preterm infants

Betty R Vohr1

  • 1Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley St, Providence, RI 02905.

Seminars in Perinatology
|November 8, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Language development in extremely preterm infants is influenced by numerous factors, including prematurity and hearing status. Early intervention by 6 months is crucial for preterm infants with hearing loss to improve language outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Audiology

Background:

  • Extremely preterm infants face complex challenges impacting language development.
  • Hearing status, alongside other factors, significantly influences language acquisition in this population.
  • The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and home environments play a role in language exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors affecting language outcomes in extremely preterm infants.
  • To emphasize the importance of early identification and intervention for hearing loss in preterm infants.
  • To explore the potential for language skill improvement over time.

Main Methods:

  • Review of factors influencing language development in extremely preterm infants.
  • Analysis of the impact of hearing status on language outcomes.
  • Examination of the role of early intervention services.

Main Results:

  • Degree of prematurity, neonatal morbidities, illness severity, and hearing status are key contributors to language outcomes.
  • Environmental factors (NICU, home language) and socioeconomic status also play a role.
  • Early screening, diagnosis, and intervention by 6 months are vital for preterm infants with permanent hearing loss.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing language outcomes requires a multifaceted approach addressing prematurity, hearing, and environmental factors.
  • Timely intervention is critical for preterm infants with hearing loss.
  • Language skills in extremely preterm infants and those with hearing loss show potential for improvement with age.

Keywords:
Haring lossLanguageOutcomesPreterm

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