Hearing, speech, and language in survivors of severe perinatal asphyxia.

Abstract

Hearing, speech and language were studied in 26 children who survived severe perinatal asphyxia. Hearing tests showed that most children had a favorable outcome. Only 1 child had sensorineural deafness. Hearing loss in 6 others was due to middle-ear disease which resolved after treatment and on retesting was normal. Neither gentamicin treatment nor incubator noise seemed to affect hearing. The results of speech and language assessment were less encouraging and about 1/3 of the children without serious mental or physical handicap had deficits in speech and language. The quality of life in such children probably could be improved if these deficits were detected early and adequately treated.