title: Associations between childhood hearing loss and behavioural and academic difficulties: A Danish cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Negative associations between hearing loss (HL) and behavioural and academic difficulties have been reported. However, most studies are based on small clinical samples. The aim of the present study was to investigate such associations using data from a large-scale non-clinical Danish birth cohort controlling for a large number of relevant confounding factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study applied data from the Aarhus Birth Cohort's 10-12-year-old follow-up (N = 7599). Associations between parent-reported HL on the one hand, and parent- and teacher-reported behavioural difficulties measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and parent-reported academic difficulties on the other hand, were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for relevant confounding factors, significant associations were observed between parent-reported HL and parent- and teacher-reported Externalising scores, and academic difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Childhood HL is associated with behavioural and academic difficulties. Parent reported HL in a non-clinical cohort is indicative for academic and behavioural difficulties.
authors.affiliation: Center for Collaborative Health, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark. Electronic address: janni.niclasen@psy.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Janni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niclasen
authors.affiliation: Center for Collaborative Health, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Obel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guldager
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pleinert
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dammeyer
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Aarhus birth cohort; Academic difficulties; Behavioural development; Children; Cohort; Hearing impairment; Hearing loss; Non-clinical; Parent; Parent-report; SDQ; Strengths and difficulties questionnaire