Hearing threshold level and middle ear pressure in children with phonetic/phonemic disability

Middle ear disease and hearing loss of moderate degree is a factor which alone or in combination with others, have been suggested to create phonetic/phonemic disability. The aim of the present investigation was to throw light upon this question. Twentytwo children with phonetic/phonemic disability, 19 boys and 3 girls, age 4.5-6.5 years, were examined. Twentytwo normal speaking children served as a control group. Oto-rhinolaryngological examination, tympanometry and hearing threshold measurements were performed. Abnormal middle ear pressure (less than -50 mm H2O) in one or both ears, and statistical significant elevated hearing threshold levels for pure tones (p less than 0.05) were found in 15 of the 22 children with phonetic/phonemic disability. Upper respiratory tract diseases, which may cause middle ear dysfunction, were supposed to be the etiology in most cases. Consequently, in all children with phonetic/phonemic disability, careful examination including tympanometry and accurate measurements of hearing threshold levels should be performed.