Developmental changes in word recognition threshold from two to five years of age in children with different middle ear status

Abstract

The aims were to: (1) provide word recognition thresholds (WRTs) at 31, 43, and 61 months of age; (2) investigate developmental changes over time; (3) investigate the relationship between OME and WRT, and (4) investigate the relationship between WRT and hearing thresholds. Around 1000 children were tested longitudinally as part of the ALSPAC study, using an adaptive measure of word recognition in quiet. Mean WRTs were 28, 23, and 23 dB (A) at 31, 43, and 61 months, respectively. Normal auditory development is associated with a mean improvement in WRT of 5 dB between age 31 and 61 months. There was a mean increase in WRT of +5 dB and +15 dB when OME was present in one and two ears, respectively. Thus, both unilateral and bilateral OME results in a detrimental effect on hearing ability for speech. Additionally, early and ‘persistent’ OME is associated with greater disability. However by 61 months, previous OME status was not significant. To our knowledge, this is the largest longitudinal study reporting WRT in preschool children with different middle ear status.

• Word recognition
• OME
• ALSPAC

Abbreviations
OME	=	Otitis media with effusion
WRT	=	Word recognition threshold
ALSPAC	=	Avon Longitudinal Study for Parents and Children

Abbreviations
OME	=	Otitis media with effusion
WRT	=	Word recognition threshold
ALSPAC	=	Avon Longitudinal Study for Parents and Children

Sumario

Los objetivos fueron: (1) aportar umbrales de reconocimiento del lenguaje (WRT) a los 31, 43 y 61 meses de edad; (2) investigar cambios evolutivos en el tiempo; (3) investigar la relación entre la otitis media con efusión (OME) y el WRT, y (4) investigar la relación entre el WRT y los umbrales auditivos. Los niños fueron evaluados en forma longitudinal como parte del estudio ALSPAC, utilizando una medida ajustable de reconocimiento de palabras en silencio. Los WRT medios fueron 28, 23 y 23 dB (A) a 31, 43 y 61 meses, respectivamente. El desarrollo auditivo normal está asociado con una mejoría media en el WRT de 5 dB, entre la edad de 31 y 61 meses. Existió un incremento medio en el WRT de + 5 dB y de +15 dB cuando la OME estaba presente en uno o en dos oídos, respectivamente. Por ende, tanto la OME unilateral como la bilateral causan un efecto negativo en la capacidad de escuchar el lenguaje. Además, la OME temprana y persistente está asociada con una mayor discapacidad. Sin embargo, a los 61 meses, la condición de la OME no era significativa. Hasta donde sabemos, este es el estudio longitudinal más grande que reporta la WRT en niños pre-escolares con diferentes condiciones del oído medio.