Whakarongo Mai: Links Between Ear and Hearing Health, Caregiver Perceptions, and Receptive Language in Preschool Children
Authors List
Phillips, N., Nelson, M., Purdy, SC., University of Auckland, New Zealand Burge, A., Starship Community, Auckland, New Zealand Leversha, A., Starship Community & University of Auckland, New Zealand Introduction: There is a high prevalence of preschool middle ear disease, particularly in Māori and Pacific children. Studies also show low parental awareness of children's hearing and health issues. Preschool children have rapid speech and language development, from babbling to forming sentences. Limited research compares preschool ear and hearing health, caregiver perceptions, and children’s speech and language development. |
Presenter: Naketa Phillips
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Aim
To determine ear and hearing health in 3-year-olds participating in an HRC-funded validation development study (Leversha et al.), and links with caregiver perceptions and receptive language.
Methods
Participants were children (N=95) aged approximately 36 months and their primary caregivers tested from July 2023-June 2024. Child ethnicity: 27.4% Māori, 21.1% Pacific, 31.6% NZ European/Other, 20% Asian. Ear and hearing health was screened using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and tympanometry. A parent-questionnaire assessed developmental and health history. A speech-language therapist assessed receptive language using the Preschool Language Scales (PLS-5).
Results
DPOAE/tympanometry outcomes (Hearing Status were classified as bilateral pass (33.3%) versus refer unilateral or bilateral (66.7%). There was a significant association between Ethnicity and Hearing Status: ² (2) =6.702, p=.035. NZ European/Other were more likely to pass both ears compared to Pacific and Māori children. There was no association between parent’s perception of their child’s hearing and Hearing Status: ϲ=.092, df=1, p=.762. There was a trend for lower receptive language in the refer group: t (58.66) =1.751, p=.085, d=.923.
Conclusions
Preschool children are more likely to require referral for ear disease than not, with significant inequity. Parental perception of hearing status is not a reliable indicator of Hearing Status.
To determine ear and hearing health in 3-year-olds participating in an HRC-funded validation development study (Leversha et al.), and links with caregiver perceptions and receptive language.
Methods
Participants were children (N=95) aged approximately 36 months and their primary caregivers tested from July 2023-June 2024. Child ethnicity: 27.4% Māori, 21.1% Pacific, 31.6% NZ European/Other, 20% Asian. Ear and hearing health was screened using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and tympanometry. A parent-questionnaire assessed developmental and health history. A speech-language therapist assessed receptive language using the Preschool Language Scales (PLS-5).
Results
DPOAE/tympanometry outcomes (Hearing Status were classified as bilateral pass (33.3%) versus refer unilateral or bilateral (66.7%). There was a significant association between Ethnicity and Hearing Status: ² (2) =6.702, p=.035. NZ European/Other were more likely to pass both ears compared to Pacific and Māori children. There was no association between parent’s perception of their child’s hearing and Hearing Status: ϲ=.092, df=1, p=.762. There was a trend for lower receptive language in the refer group: t (58.66) =1.751, p=.085, d=.923.
Conclusions
Preschool children are more likely to require referral for ear disease than not, with significant inequity. Parental perception of hearing status is not a reliable indicator of Hearing Status.
