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Cognitive development related to performance on preschool hearing screening tests

R A Sturner, J A Green, S G Funk

    Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
    |June 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Preschool children failing hearing screening behavioral scales showed lower cognitive scores. Failing two or more scales identified a high-risk group for developmental delay.

    Area of Science:

    • Developmental Psychology
    • Audiology
    • Educational Psychology

    Background:

    • Routine hearing screening is crucial for preschool children's development.
    • Early identification of hearing impairments can prevent developmental delays.
    • Cognitive abilities are foundational for academic success.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between behavioral responses during hearing screening and cognitive abilities in preschool children.
    • To identify specific hearing screening behavioral indicators associated with cognitive deficits.
    • To explore the potential of hearing screening as a tool for early detection of at-risk children for developmental delay.

    Main Methods:

    • A cohort of 730 preschool children (52-70 months) underwent behavioral hearing screening.
    • A subsample, including children at risk for developmental delay, received standardized cognitive assessments (McCarthy Scales, Stanford-Binet).
    • Children's performance on three behavioral hearing test scales was analyzed in relation to cognitive test results.

    Main Results:

    • Children failing one or more hearing behavioral scales, without audiologic pathology, scored significantly lower on cognitive tests.
    • Preschoolers failing two or more behavioral scales constituted a distinct risk group.
    • This risk group exhibited cognitive scores approximately two standard deviations below the national average on both cognitive assessments.

    Conclusions:

    • Behavioral responses during routine hearing screening can predict cognitive status in preschool children.
    • Hearing screening can serve as a dual-purpose tool, yielding information on both auditory function and cognitive development.
    • Identifying children who fail multiple behavioral hearing scales is vital for early intervention and support.

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