Impact of Early Intervention on Expressive and Receptive Language Development Among Young Children with Permanent Hearing Loss

TLDR

Early detection and early intervention are essential for children with hearing loss, as evidence shows that initiating services at a young age improves language outcomes. This study examined how a state early‑intervention program affects language development over time and assessed whether enrollment before 6 months predicts earlier language skill attainment. The authors conducted a longitudinal analysis of young children with permanent hearing loss participating in the state EI program. Children enrolled before 6 months were more likely to have age‑appropriate language at baseline and maintained these skills, while those enrolled after 6 months started with lower skills but made significant progress regardless of hearing‑loss severity.

Abstract

Along with early detection, early intervention (EI) is critical for children identified with hearing loss. Evidence indicates that many children with sensorineural hearing loss experience improved language abilities if EI services were initiated at an "early" age. The present study's objectives were to determine the impact of a state EI program on language over time of children with permanent hearing loss and evaluate the association of EI enrollment by age 6 months with early language skill development. Young children in a state EI program were included in this longitudinal study. Results indicate that children enrolled prior to age 6 months were more likely to have age-appropriate language skills at baseline than children enrolled at or after 6 months, and maintained age-appropriate skills over time. Children enrolled at or after 6 months had lower baseline skills but made significant language progress, irrespective of hearing loss severity.