Hearing, Speech and Language

Question 1

Median age to vocalise alone or when spoken to

Answer 1

3-4 months

Question 2

Median age to turn to soft sounds out of sight

Answer 2

7 months

Question 3

Median age to use sounds (mama, dada) indiscriminately

Answer 3

7 months

Question 4

Median age to use sounds (mama, dada) discriminately

Answer 4

10 months

Question 5

Median age for having 2-3 non-parental words

Answer 5

1 year

Question 6

Median age for having 6-10 words and identifying parts of the body

Answer 6

18 months

Question 7

Median age to make simple phrases

Answer 7

20-24 months

Question 8

Median age for talking constantly in short sentences

Answer 8

2.5-3 years

Question 9

When is the first test of hearing

Answer 9

Newborn; evoked otoacoustic emission or auditory brainstem response

Question 10

What is visual reinforcement audiometry?

Answer 10

Assistant plays with child. Noise emitted, if child looks towards it then toy is lit up (positive reinforcement). Useful between 10mo and 18mo.

Question 11

What is the Symbolic Toy test?

Answer 11

Assesses very early (12-36mo) language development; concept/symbolisation are associated.

Question 12

What is the Reynell test?

Answer 12

Contains two scales- comprehension and expression. Uses toys and finger puppets. For preschool children

Question 13

What is the prevalence of severe learning difficulties?

Answer 13

3-4 per 1000 children. Irrespective of social class

Question 14

What is the prevalence of moderate learning difficulties?

Answer 14

30 per 1000 children. More prevalent in lower socioeconomic classes

Question 15

What is dyspraxia?

Answer 15

Developmental coordination disorder; disorder of the higher cortical processes. Gross motor milestones achieved normally

Question 16

What is dyslexia?

Answer 16

Disorder of reading skills, often more than 2 years behind age

Question 17

What is sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 17

Caused by lesion in the cochlea or auditory nerve; normally from birth. May be profound

Question 18

What is conductive hearing loss?

Answer 18

Caused by abnormalities of the ear canal or middle ear. Maximum 60 dB loss, may resolve

Question 19

What are the causes of sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 19

Majority genetic. Also congenital infections, preterm, hypoxia, hyperbilirubinaemia, head injuries, aminoglycosides, furosemide, neurodegeneration

Question 20

What are the causes of conductive hearing loss?

Answer 20

Majority are otitis media with effusion. Also eustachian tube dysfunction (Down’s, cleft palate, Pierre-Robin, hypoplasia).