Design factors in the assessment of language development in children with otitis media.

In this paper the findings of studies which have examined the effects of chronic otitis media, suffered during the early years of life, on the cognitive, linguistic and academic development of the child are reviewed and critqued. A summary of findings on factors which play a role in normal language development are then presented to point to possible reasons for chronic otitis media having detrimental effects on development. Finally, possible ways of testing the hypothesis that the disease has such effects are discussed.