Nonverbal Intelligence Predicts Performance of Preschool Children With Hearing Loss on Norm-Referenced Language Measures But Not Language Sample Analysis.
Krystal L Werfel, Sydney D Bassard, Courtney Squires
PMID 33136649WHAT IT FOUND
Nonverbal intelligence predicted scores on standard language tests but not on spontaneous speech samples.
High intelligence may help children with hearing loss pass test items without reflecting true functional language ability. Language sample analysis is needed to see what they can actually do.
Key findings
01Nonverbal intelligence was a significant predictor of standardized language measures (overall language, expressive vocabulary, receptive vocabulary) even after controlling for hearing group and maternal education.
02Nonverbal intelligence was not a predictor of spontaneous language sample measures (mean length of utterance, number of different words) beyond demographic variables.
03Children with hearing loss scored significantly lower than children with normal hearing on both norm-referenced language measures and language sample analysis measures.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The children with hearing loss group only included those using spoken language and amplification; findings do not apply to children using sign language or other communication modes. The group was heterogeneous regarding amplification type (cochlear implants, hearing aids, bimodal, BAHA) and age at amplification. The study excluded children with below-average nonverbal intelligence, so results only apply to children with average or above-average cognitive abilities. Preschool-aged children may have undiagnosed conditions affecting language or cognition.
Declared interests
None reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that average scores on standardized language tests indicate functional language competence in children with hearing loss. High nonverbal intelligence can mask underlying language deficits on these tests, whereas spontaneous language samples reveal the true extent of the difficulty.