The possible effects of conductive hearing loss on language development

Recently some attention has been paid to the possibility that chronic serous otitis could adversely affect language development. Up to ten or fifteen years ago the hearing loss resulting from the disease was considered neglectable. In this contribution some arguments will be given as to prove that the latter might not always be true. Follows a review of some recent studies suggesting a causal relationship between secretory otitis and language development and scholastic learning. The need for further (longitudinal) research is emphasised.