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Running Head: HEARING LOSS EFFECTS IN SPEECH DISORDERS
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HEARING LOSS EFFECTS IN SPEECH DISORDERS
Contemporary Views of Hearing Loss in Children and its
Effects in Speech Disorders
Belgica Santos
New York University
Abstract
This paper comprises the findings of six published articles that report on results from contemporary research conducted on hearing loss and its effect on various speech disorders. The articles vary in their findings and scope of research. Bernstein, Gifford and Holmes (2009) summarizes the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) views and conclusions about the importance of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS), early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI), and subsequent follow ups and referrals as the first line of defense for infants at risk of hearing loss. The study by Halliday, Rosen and Tuomainen (2017) examines language development and other factors in relation to language impairments in children with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss (MMHL). Other articles focus on less severe pathologies but offer similar compelling findings such as Cho Lieu (2004) which explores Unilateral Hearing Loss in Children and its consequences in speech and language as well as academic development. Carney and Moeller (1998) review various treatment efficacy outcomes for children with hearing loss concluding that no one treatment holds all the answers to the wide range of disorders and individual needs. Ertmer (2010) asserts that in the assessment of children with hearing loss assessing connected speech intelligibility directly is the best method for ranking articulation scores. Lastly, Blamey et al. (2001) Recognizes the speech improvements of children suffering from hearing loss once they have received hearing aid, but stress need for language-based habilitation that will allow these children to understand the academic demands of secondary school and close the academic gap between them and normal hearing children. These articles offer a panoramic view to the world children with various hearing loss pathologies and its effect in speech, language and academic development. ASHA guidelines are also observed.
Contemporary Views of Hearing Loss in Children and its
Effects in Speech Disorders
Characteristics of the Impairment
The first years of life have been widely acknowledged as the most significant for speech and language development. Specifically, the first 36 months are regarded as critical for cognitive and linguistic development as reported by the AAP. The Academy reports that Childhood Hearing Loss to a significant degree is present in 1 to 6 per 1,000 birth. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates 17 in 1,000 affected in children under 18. NIDCD states that three out of four children suffer from otitis media by the time they are 3 years old, and that children who have early hearing impairment from frequent ear infections have a likelihood to experience speech and langu...