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Expressive vocabulary of children with hearing loss in the first 2 years of life: impact of early intervention

Journal of Perinatology volume 31, pages 274–280 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the expressive vocabulary of children with hearing loss (HL) enrolled in early intervention (EI) ⩽3 vs >3 months in the first 24 months and to compare with hearing controls. It was hypothesized that the number of words produced would be higher for children with HL enrolled in EI ⩽3 vs >3 months.

Study Design:

This is a prospective longitudinal matched cohort study.

Result:

The children with HL produced fewer words than the children with hearing. In addition, children with HL enrolled in EI ⩽3 months had a larger expressive vocabulary percentile score compared with children with HL enrolled >3 months. Children with mild HL enrolled in EI ⩽3 months had the greatest growth in vocabulary between 12 to 16 and 18 to 24 months.

Conclusion:

Although multiple factors are associated with expressive vocabulary growth of children with HL, enrollment in EI ⩽3 months has sustained beneficial effects on expressive vocabulary at 18 to 24 months.

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Acknowledgements

We express our appreciation to Joyce Rose for paper preparation, and the families that generously gave their time to participate in this study. This study was funded by a Cooperative Agreement from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, # UR3/CCU120033-01 and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities # AUCD-RTOI 2006-06-07-1.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    B Vohr, J Jodoin-Krauzyk, R Tucker & LSt Pierre

  2. Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Providence, RI, USA

    D Topol, M J Johnson & M Ahlgren

Authors
  1. B Vohr
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  2. J Jodoin-Krauzyk
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  3. R Tucker
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  4. D Topol
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  5. M J Johnson
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  6. M Ahlgren
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  7. LSt Pierre
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Correspondence to B Vohr.

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Vohr, B., Jodoin-Krauzyk, J., Tucker, R. et al. Expressive vocabulary of children with hearing loss in the first 2 years of life: impact of early intervention. J Perinatol 31, 274–280 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.110

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