Recurrent otitis media and speech sound disorders in portuguese preschoolers: a case-control study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62741/ahrj.v3i1.145Keywords:
recurrent otitis media, speech sound disorders, phonological processes, orofacial motricity, preschool childrenAbstract
Introduction: Recurrent otitis media, defined as ≥3 episodes in 6 months or ≥4 in 12 months, may lead to fluctuating conductive hearing loss during a critical period of phonological development (6-36 months), potentially affecting speech sound acquisition.
Objectives: To analyze the association between recurrent otitis media and speech sound disorders in Portuguese preschool children (M=66.45 months, SD=4.39), hypothesizing higher phonological process prevalence in recurrent otitis media cases (n=30) versus controls (n=30) due to cumulative auditory deprivation affecting lingual and labial precision.
Methodology: A case-control study was conducted with 60 Portuguese children aged 5-6years (n=39 with recurrent otitis media; n=30 controls). Speech production was assessed by the Psychology Center at the University of Porto Articulation Test. Statistical analyses included descriptive and inferential tests (χ² and Mann-Whitney U), with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: Children with recurrent otitis media showed a higher prevalence of speech sound disorders compared to controls (90% vs. 60%, p=0.007). Cluster reduction was the most frequent phonological process (87% vs. 57%, p=0.010). Other processes, including liquid omissions and substitutions, were also more frequent in the recurrent otitis media group.
Conclusion: Recurrent otitis media is associated with a higher prevalence of speech sound disorder in preschool children. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring speech development in children with a history of recurrent otitis media. However, results should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of the study design.
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