Early middle ear effusion and language at age seven.
This study examined the relation of middle ear effusion (MEE) in the first 3 years of life to language outcomes at age seven. It was hypothesized, on the basis of a literature review, that (1) a low, but positive relation between early MEE and language measures in general will be observed at age seven, and (2) major effects will be demonstrated for measures of articulation and phonological sensitivity. MEE was assessed as days with bilateral MEE and episodes of MEE. Three measures of language status were used: the Test of Auditory Analysis Skill (TAAS [Rosner, J. (1975). TAAS: Test of Auditory Analysis Skill. Novato, CA: Academic Therapy Publications]), Goldman-Fristoe Articulation Test, Sounds in Words and Sounds in Sentences (GFAT [Goldman, R., & Fristoe, M. (1986). Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service]), and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-revised (CELF-R [Semel, E. M., Wiig, E. H., & Secord, W. (1987). CELF: Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Revised. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich]). The sample included 179 children who were heterogeneous for SES and ethnicity. There were no significant correlations for MEE and language measures. These negative results were sustained when multiple regression was used with controls for socioeconomic status and quality of the home environment.


OBJECTIVE
We conclude that early MEE may not pose a threat to language development in the early school years.
Johnson
Dale L
DL
University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States. dljohnson@uh.edu
McCormick
David P
DP
Baldwin
Constance D
CD
D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests; D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007807:Language Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010700:Phonetics; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests; D013068:Speech Production Measurement; D013781:Texas