Early language outcomes of children born with unilateral aural atresia

Aural atresia is a congenital malformation involving the ear canal. There is limited investigation into the impact of aural atresia and the associated hearing loss on language in the early years of development.

Eight children with unilateral aural atresia were followed longitudinally at 30- and 60-days post hearing device fitting, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, and 36 months of age. Expressive language, auditory development, functional auditory performance, and hearing device use were measured.

Two children were delayed in expressive language at 24 months of age. Children's auditory development and functional auditory performance were in the average or above average range. Children wore their hearing devices for an average of 1-2 hours per day.

Thirty-three percent of children (n = 2) were performing below the language levels expected for peers without hearing loss. Children's auditory development and functional auditory performance are comparable to children with typical hearing despite their low hearing device use. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of children participating in the study.