All of the children from the otitis-free group had reading scores as expected for their age. There was no statistically significant difference in reading scores between the results of 58 children (90.6%) from the otitis media group and the results of the controls. The other 6 children scored slightly less than expected for their age and as compared to the controls.
Conclusion:The results of this study demonstrate that most of the children with middle ear diseases in preschool years, whose reading skills were affected when they were in first or second grade, catch up in terms of their reading skills compared to normally achieving children once they grow older and the otitis media and middle ear effusion resolve and disappear.Significance: Although middle ear diseases in preschool years affect reading performance in first-and second-graders, once middle ear problems resolve and hearing returns to normal most children will overcome the effects of these diseases.Support: None reported.
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