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Predictors of phonologic inadequacy in young children prone to otitis media
E P Paden1, M A Novak, A L Beiter
1Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois, Champaign 61820.
Insights
Early identification of children at risk for phonological delays is possible. Combining audiological, phonological, and otitis media history data can predict later speech difficulties in toddlers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME) in early childhood is linked to later phonological skill deficits.
- Early identification of at-risk children could enable timely interventions, including speech stimulation or medical management.
- Identifying predictive factors for phonological inadequacy is crucial for targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictive markers for phonological inadequacy in children under age 3.
- To determine if combined audiological, phonological, and OME history data can predict later speech development.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 40 children (18-35 months) undergoing tympanostomy tube placement.
- Collected audiological, phonological, OME history, and parental education/occupation data.
- Utilized discriminant analysis and multiple regression to identify predictors of phonological outcomes by age 3.
Main Results:
- A combination of factors predicted later phonological inadequacy.
- Key predictors included low scores in velar, liquid, and postvocalic obstruent production.
- Elevated 500 Hz hearing thresholds and a history of early-onset, late-remitting OME were also significant.
Conclusions:
- Combined audiological, phonological, and OME history data reliably predict phonological inadequacy by age 3.
- No single factor alone was as effective as a combination of variables.
- Early identification using these combined factors can guide preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Children who have experienced recurrent or persistent otitis media with effusion (OME) at an early age often evidence deficient phonological skills in preschool that require remediation. If it were possible to identify these children before age 3, speech stimulation procedures and/or medical preventive measures might be considered. Forty children between the ages of 18 and 35 months who were scheduled for tympanostomy and tube placement were assessed audiologically and phonologically, data from their medical histories were tabulated, and parental educational and occupational status were determined. The subjects were reexamined at intervals of 3-4 months until their phonological performance reached a level indicating that broad phoneme-class or syllable-position remediation would not be necessary, or they had passed their third birthday. Discriminant analysis and multiple regression procedures indicated that certain measures or conditions, in combination, are good predictors of later phonologic inadequacy. Low age-weighted scores on production of velars, liquids, and postvocalic singleton obstruents, along with elevated thresholds at 500 Hz and a history of early onset and late remission from OME, were the most important variables characterizing children who did not catch up phonologically by age 3. Importantly, data from no one area alone could identify these children as reliably as combined data from the three areas.