Aims: To examine the developmental outcomes of early-identified children who are hard of hearing, at 12 to 18
months of age, compared to those for children of similar age with normal hearing; and to investigate parent and
child factors that are associated with these developmental outcomes.
Methods: As part of a prospective study, 28 children with mild to severe hearing loss between the ages of 12 and
18 months and 42 children with normal hearing of similar age completed a comprehensive assessment battery.
All children with hearing loss were identified by newborn hearing screening and amplified, on average, by 5
months of age. Outcome measures included: Mullen Scales of Early Learning; Preschool Language Scale-4th
Ed; MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventory; Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment;
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition; Parenting Stress Index—Short Form; and Maternal
Self-Efficacy Scale.
Results: Children with hearing loss scored comparably to children with normal hearing on select outcome measures,
with mean scores for both groups fallingwithin normal limits. Greater maternal self-efficacywas associated
with children's better language skills, adaptive behavior, social–emotional competence, and fewer problem
behaviors.
Conclusion: Very young children with mild to severe hearing loss, who are identified early and provided prompt
intervention that includes amplification, can demonstrate age appropriate development inmultiple domains. Results
also underscore the significance of parenting factors, especially perceived maternal self-efficacy, in relation
to positive developmental outcomes for these children early in life.