Language and quality of life in Swedish children with mild hearing loss

ABSTRACT

This study explored the impact of mild bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (MBHL) on language development and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and investigated the relationship between these outcomes in school-aged children. Participants comprised 16 children (9 girls, 7 boys) between 9–12 years (mean 11.2 years) with MBHL born in Sweden. Language was assessed by a Speech Pathologist and children self-reported their HRQoL. Results showed mean scores for language and HRQoL were not significantly different to normative means. Two children (12.5%) met the criterion for language disorder (LD) and another two children were considered at risk for poor HRQoL. The participants scored poorest on the language skills of formulating of sentences and following concepts and directions, and on the HRQoL domain of psychosocial wellbeing, although none significantly below normative means. A trend in the data showed a moderate positive correlation between overall language ability and HRQoL scores. Participant demographic factors of sex and hours of hearing aid use explained 15% of the variation in HRQoL outcomes; however, this was not statistically significant (p = .65). The hours of hearing aid use accounted for 27.5% of the variance in outcomes for language which was significant (p = .05). Overall, these results indicate that some children with MBHL are at risk of LD and poor HRQoL as they progress through school.

KEYWORDS:

• Language development
• hard of hearing
• mental health

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the children and parents for their participation. We would also like to acknowledge the support of Charlotte Stübner, Alexandra Bergholm, and Anna Gottby for collecting the data. We would also like to acknowledge the support of Fran Baker (University of Newcastle) for her assistance with statistical input. We would also like to thank the reviewers for their time, knowledge and expertise and input into the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics

This study was part of a broader research project and was approved by the Regional Ethical Board at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden (GU 827-14) and the University of Newcastle (H-2020-0008). Written informed consent was provided by caregivers.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Tysta Skolan, Wilhelm & Martina Lundgrens Foundation, Promobilia and Per & Annmari Ahlqvist Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Abbey McPherson

Abbey McPherson completed this work as part of her Honours thesis at the University of Newcastle. She is now working clinically.

Gwendalyn Webb

Dr. Gwendalyn Webb and Dr. Traci Flynn work at the University of Newcastle in the Speech Pathology discipline. Dr Traci Flynn completed her PhD and Post-doc studies in Sweden.

Carmela Miniscalco

Professor Carmela Miniscalco works at the University of Gothenburg, Gillberg Centre, and Queen Silvia’s Children’s Hospital as a Speech Pathologist and researcher.