Detection of hearing loss based on the Early Language Milestone Scale: a pilot study

Abstract

Hearing loss in a child may result in developmental difficulties in speech and language. The objectives of this study were: the detection of hearing problems based on the Early Language Milestone Scale (ELM Scale) and the evaluation of language development in hearing impaired children. We tested 81 children who attended the Hearing Loss Program, Clinics Hospital, Campinas State University. It was verified that 54 children did not respond to the Auditory-Receptive Section of the ELM Scale, and hearing loss was confirmed by the Audiometry of Brain Stem Response (ABR). They passed the Visual Section with the exception of two children. Related to language development, in the Auditory-Expressive Section, 100% of children aged from 18 to 24 months produced cooing, reciprocal vocalization, laugh and raspberries; 100% of the children between 25 and 36 months of age produced the monosyllabic babbling and the children between 37 and 48 months of age produced polysyllabic babbling.