This study compared preschool spoken language outcomes for children with hearing loss who met the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) guidelines to those who did not, as well as compared outcomes for those who met the current EHDI guidelines to those who met the earlier benchmarks. Finally, the predictive role of meeting each component of the guidelines was evaluated relative to language outcomes. Children who met the EHDI guidelines had higher language scores than those who did not; however, there was no difference between children who met the current guidelines and those who met the earlier benchmarks. Entering early intervention by 6 months of age was the only unique predictor of spoken language outcomes. The findings suggest that EHDI programs should target increasing the number of children with hearing loss who meet the current 1-3-6 benchmarks with a particular focus on enrollment in early intervention by 6 months.

本研究比较了符合早期听力检测和干预 (EHDI) 指南的听力损失儿童与不符合早期听力检测和干预 (EHDI) 指南的儿童的学前口语结果，并将符合当前 EHDI 指南的儿童的结果与符合早期基准的儿童的结果进行了比较. 最后，相对于语言结果评估了满足指南每个组成部分的预测作用。符合 EHDI 指南的儿童的语言分数高于不符合的儿童；但是，符合现行准则的儿童与符合早期基准的儿童之间没有区别。在 6 个月大时进入早期干预是口语结果的唯一独特预测因素。