Pavlovic I
Slusni centar Pavlovic d.o.o., Croatia
Title: Influence of the central auditory disorders on behaviour in children with hearing loss connected to otitis media with effusion
Biography
Biography: Pavlovic I
Abstract
Introduction: Normal hearing is closely related to normal development of the language and speech as one of the most sophisticated functions of the human brain. Verbal expression includes emotions as well as non-verbal form of communication. Behaviour disturbance associated with hearing loss are often found. The aim of this study is to examine whether otitis media with effusion and associated hearing loss are related to the language development, academic achievement and behaviour. Methods: Cohort study included 23 male and 16 female outpatients who came for hearing test because of repetitively hearing loss or learning failure, hyperkinesias, lower rate of social adaptation and speech and language disorders. Tonal audiometry, tympanomtery and speech audiometry were performed repetitively every 7 days during the 3 weeks. Non-audiologic evaluation included psychological testing and speech language screening tests. Results: Bilateral conductive hearing loss and tympanograms of B type were present in all tested children. Speech audiometry showed pathologic level of speech discrimination for free sound field in all of tested children. At age up to 7 years, equal number of (11) female and (11) male have speech disorders and lack of concentration to the sound in general, speech and events around. At age of 8 or higher were much more male (12) than female (5) dominated cognition disorders, behaviour problems, learning disabilities and low rate and problems with social adaptation. Tested children in general have more readiness skills in literacy and math, and low scoring in recognizing incomplete words at school age 8 and above. Male children have more learning and behaviour disabilities at school age than females. Conclusions: Speech and language development are compromised in children with hearing loss associated with otitis media with effusion. Consequences of hearing loss are related to delay in language particularly articulation development with no differences between males and females. From 8y up to older ages hearing loss is more related with cognition disabilities, behavior disturbance and consecuticely social adaptation in high risk at male than female children.