Unilateral hearing loss in kids linked to poor language skills--study

According to researchers, unilateral hearing loss could be due to some congenital abnormalities in the ear, head trauma or infections such as meningitis.

An initial diagnosis of unilateral hearing loss may seem insignificant, since kids with the disability have little or no difficulty with speech and appear to have normal hearing.

However, if a child’s hearing loss is not known in school, his inattentive behavior can be construed as stubbornness, rudeness, or lack of comprehension.

Lead author of the study, Dr Judith E. C. Lieu, a Washington University professor of otolaryngology at St. Louis Children’s Hospital stated, "For many years, pediatricians and educators thought that as long as children have one normal hearing ear, their speech and language would develop normally.

"But then a few studies began suggesting these children might have problems in school. Now our study has shown that on average, children with hearing loss in one ear have poorer oral language scores than children with hearing in both ears.”

74 children with unilateral hearing loss examined
The researchers enrolled 74 children from the St. Louis region between the ages of 6 and 12 with hearing impairment in one ear. They then compared each participant to his sibling with normal hearing.

This was done to evaluate the impact of environmental and genetic factors on language skills.

The kids were tested on language skills and oral expression with the help of the Oral and Written Language Scales (OWLS).

Observations by researchers
The investigators noted that those suffering from unilateral hearing loss fared poorly in the tests as opposed to their siblings.

In addition, kids with the disability were more likely than normal-hearing kids to received speech-language therapy.

However, there was no significant difference between kids with hearing loss in the right ear vs. the left ear or with varying degrees of severity of hearing loss.

Lieu stated, “Now our study has shown that, on average, children with hearing loss in one ear have poorer oral language scores than children with hearing in both ears.”

She added, “This study should raise awareness that if children with hearing loss in one ear are having difficulties in speech or reading in school, their hearing may be part of the problem.

“Parents, educators and pediatricians shouldn’t assume that having hearing in one ear means children won’t need additional assistance.”

Other highlights of the study
The researchers found it was common practice to ignore the disability and disregard hearing-related problems in children with unilateral hearing.

Another highlight of the study was the problem of hearing loss in one ear was more evident in children living below the poverty level or with mothers who were less educated.

The researchers stated, “Unlike for children with (hearing loss in both ears), who are routinely fitted with hearing aids and receive accommodations for disability, children with (hearing loss in one ear) may not be considered to have a 'significant hearing loss. Our results suggest that children with (hearing loss in one ear) should be eligible for the same accommodations as children with (hearing loss in both ears).”

The study is published online and is slated to appear in the June print issue of the journal Pediatrics.