Objective: The aim of this research was to determine the early identification effects of language development hearing impairment and identification of the proper age of the hearing impairment. Method: This research was carried out at Services Hospital, Lahore (September 2017 to August 2018) by using a predesigned questionnaire (Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test) in order to gather required information from the research participants. This material helped in the determination of expressive and receptive score of the language at early and late hearing impairment identification among children. Result: Research included one hundred respondents selected out of four different age groups in the age bracket of 8 – 14 years. Various average scores of the age groups were such as age bracket of (6 – 8) years, (8 – 10) years, (10 – 12) years and above 12 years were identified as (early and late) having respective proportions of (52% & 42%), (60% & 41%), (71% & 40%) and (75% & 60%). Language score on the basis of PPVT test was in the range of (20 – 30), (40 – 60), (60 – 80) and (80 – 100) respectively 4%, 28%, 14% and 54%. Commonly prevalent hearing loss degree was the degree of moderately severe (58%) in the early identification; whereas, late identification as (465) moderately severe degree of hearing loss impairment. Thirty-six respondents were early identified; whereas, late identified cases were forty-one in number.
Conclusion: It is evident from the research outcomes that hearing loss at the age of six months managed through suitable therapy brings productive outcomes and it is a safe and effective strategy. This strategy is successful in the development of language skills among children including infants and adolescents affected by hearing loss. Hearing loss identification at the age of six months can resume normal activity of language as a result of the timely intervention.
Keywords: Hearing Loss, Impairment, Language, Vocabulary and PPVT