Prevalence and causes of communication disorders- A retrospective study from northern Karnataka

Status of Identification of Communication Disorder in Children in Current Scenario: A Survey from West Bengal

To find the status of age of suspicion and identification availed for children with different communication disorders. This cross-sectional survey study was conducted on 2081 children aged 0.5 to 15 years (mean: 5.41; S.D.: ±3.77) who came to the speech-language diagnostic department of AYJNISHD(D), RC, Kolkata for availing rehabilitation service at the institute. The information was gathered from the parents and caregivers of the children. After detailed evaluation by the interdisciplinary team, the developed 14-item questionnaire was administered, and data were recorded and tabulated. Findings suggested that average age of suspicion of presence of communication problem is 2 years (SD: ±0.98). The suspicion rate increased with increasing age with a saturation in suspicion rate after 5 years. Consultation of a medical professional, primarily an ENT specialist was availed by 2.8 years (SD: ±1.89) of age and 32% of the doctors during the first visit assured the parents not to worry as the child would learn language with age and only 43.4% were referred for rehabilitation. Among them, 42.8% of children were found hearing loss, 24.5% found to have autism spectrum disorder, 20.66% of children were diagnosed with developmental delay, 6.4% were diagnosed with intellectual disability, 4.7% were diagnosed with late language emergence and 0.86% were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. From the findings we can conclude perceived cause of delay in identification is lack of awareness, lack of proper guidance from the primary consultants, and tendency to follow wait-and-watch policy.

A Report on Cases with Communication Disorders at a Tertiary care Hospital in Mysore District of Karnataka, India: A Retrospective Study Across Five Years

Communication disorders affect an individual's social, emotional and behavioural well-being. Estimating the number of clients with various causes of communication disorders can assist in the prevention, early identification, intervention, rehabilitation and counselling process. India is the second-largest populated country with diversity in terms of culture and geography. Therefore, estimating the data on number of clients presenting with communication disorders is warranted across different parts of the country. In a retrospective study, the clinical records of cases reporting to the JSS Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, for the last five years were reviewed. A total of 9511 cases diagnosed with communication disorders were included in the study. The percentage of male cases was higher than the females amongst all the types of communication disorders. The percentage of paediatric cases with speech and language disorders was the highest, followed by adult cases. Across the hearing disorders, the highest number of cases were from the adult age group, and the lowest number of hearing-disordered cases were noted in the paediatric age group throughout all five years. Among all the risk factors, perinatal history was the highest seen risk factor, and consanguinity was the lowest seen risk factor associated with communication disorders. The results of the present study revealed that among cases with communication disorders at the tertiary care hospital in Mysore, hearing impairment was one of the most commonly seen conditions, followed by child language disorders. The history of perinatal factors as a risk for communication disorders was noted in a maximum number of cases.

Translation and validation of the LittlEars auditory questionnaire in Kannada

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to translate and validate the LittlEARS Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ) in Kannada.

METHOD

The translation procedure followed a traditional translation, back translation, and content validity process before administering. The finalized version was administered on 87 children with 67 normal hearing children and 20 hearing-impaired children.

RESULTS

The tool had good internal consistency, good reliability, and a norm curve could be established. The Cronbach alpha value for item correlation ranged from 0.26 to 0.79. A significant difference was found between normal hearing individuals and hearing impaired.

CONCLUSION

The LEAQ tool has been translated and validated for the Kannada speaking population and can be used as a screening tool for children up to two years of age and as a subjective outcome measuring tool for hearing aid and Cochlear Implant user.