Some Developmental and Behavioral Problems Associated With Bilateral Otitis Media with Effusion

Abstract

Results from otological and audiological examination of 879 children are reported. A group of 47 children with bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) was compared with those who were otologically normal (N = 355) to determine whether they differed in background characteristics, speech articulation, language or motor development, and intelligence or reported behavioral problems. The results showed that while the children with bilateral OME did not differ in terms of background characteristics, they were significantly disadvantaged in speech articulation ability, verbal comprehension, motor development, and intelligence. They also had significantly more behavior problems. The finding that OME was associated with developmental and behavior problems in children suggests a need to identify this problem in children as a first step toward therapeutic intervention.