Background: Children frequently contract otitis media (OM), which could impede their ability to learn languages. There are numerous individual reports that have been uncovered in the literature that show an inverse relationship between OM and language learning. So, in order to incorporate information about how OM affects early children’s language acquisition, a systematic review has been carried out.

Methods: Numerous electronic bibliographical databases, including PubMed, Embase, and ERIC, were searched. All observational studies and one randomized clinical trial published between 2000 and 2022 were included in the report depending on the inclusion criteria. Eleven papers were reviewed after screening and evaluating the abstracts, and information was taken on crucial factors including nation, sample sizes, designs of the studies, length of follow-up period, and key outcomes.

Results: Generally, the systematic review’s results were contradictory. The majority of the research, though, found a conflicting or inversely association between OM and many aspects of young child’s language improvement. In overall, the investigations that were included showed that OM is inversely correlated with language learning and can have an impact on several linguistic categories, including receptively and expressive language. Nevertheless, there were also a few negative results from very few researches.  

Conclusion: OM is typically not severe and thus it can be disregarded. However, it has a negative impact on language learning. Therapists and doctors must be cautious when interacting with a child who has OM to avoid negative consequences on language acquisition.

Keywords: Otitis media; language development; Children; Systematic review.

Download the full Research Work: Awais, O.R.M. (2022). The Effect of Otitis Media on the Development of Speech and Language. SAERA – School of Advanced Education, Research and Accreditation.