Psychoeducational Sequelae of Chronic Otitis Media

Hearing loss in Chinese school children with Down syndrome

“…This finding was consistent with results from past research [4,41,42]. Needleman, Zinkus and his colleagues suggested that even a slight degree of hearing impairment may delay or impede educational development in school children [43,44]. When combined with challenged intelligence, the effect may be even more devastating.…”

Otitis media and Academic Achievement in Eskimo High School Students

“…The authors speculated that, 'children with fluctuating hearing loss would catch-up in their language develop ment during intervals of normal hearing ' [p. 834], Zinkus et al [1978] found broader and more complex learning difficulties associ ated with a history of otitis for children ages 6-11 years. The problems included deficits m auditory processing, poor visual and audi tory integration, and deficits on tests of read ing and spelling.…”

Learning Disabilities and Conductive Hearing Loss Involving Otitis Media

“…However, pre- Continued on next page ventative intervention should be considered for children who meet pre-established high risk criteria (Zinkus, et al, 1978). For example, children may be considered at risk who have: (1) an average hearing loss of 15 dB or worse, (2) recurrent otitis media for half of any six-month period during the first two years of life, (3) fluctuations in hearing due to otitis media (with hearing worse than 15 dB) for half of any six month period during childhood (Downs 1977), and (4) backgrounds or conditions associated with higher incidence of otitis media (e.g., children with Downs Syndrome, cleft palates, learning disabilities; Eskimo and Native American children).…”

“…Because of these factors, it is difficult to attribute delays in the experimental group to a history of otitis media. Zinkus, Gottlieb, and Shapiro (1978) investigated the performance of children referred to them because of academic underachievement. Children with early severe otitis media (experimental group) scored significantly below children with early mild otitis media (control group) on measures of intelligence and language acquisition.…”