Evaluation of hearing and speech-language in preschool children: how important, why we should perform?

Turk J Pediatr. 2013 Nov-Dec;55(6):606-11.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to present the hearing and speech-language findings of preschool children. The children in this study were aged 3-5 years. Sixtyseven of 239 children (28.0%) had been referred to a physician because of possible middle ear problems, and 25 of the 67 children had slight and mild conduction type hearing loss with air-bone gaps. One of 239 children had profound sensorineural hearing loss. Speech-language problems were found in 70 of 239 children (29.3%). Necessary attention should be paid to the evaluation of hearing and speech-language skills in preschool-aged children to avoid delayed detection and to give these children the opportunity for timely intervention for hearing and speech-language problems.

MeSH terms

  • Audiometry
  • Child Language*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hearing / physiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Otoscopy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Speech Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Speech Disorders / physiopathology
  • Speech Intelligibility / physiology*