Date of Award

May 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Communication Sciences & Disorders

First Advisor

Sarah Robinson

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the parent’s perspective on whether otitis media delayed their child’s speech and language development. It also focuses on intervention options and the parent’s relationship with their medical providers regarding intervention options for otitis media. Research has shown the importance of early intervention; however, when it comes to recurrent otitis media, many physicians require patients to express symptoms for extended periods before surgical solutions are considered (Granath, 2021). An electronic survey was distributed to parents and caregivers on various parenting Facebook pages. The study was open for one month before the research was analyzed. Seventy-five participants met the inclusion criteria, and their answers were analyzed using descriptive and quantitative data analysis.When polled, half of parents reported they felt their child experienced speech and language changes during episodes of otitis media and half did not. When asked about long-term speech and language abilities, approximately 68% of survey takers reported they did not feel their child’s history of otitis media resulted in long-term speech and language deficits. Overall, parents reported differing views on whether a history of otitis media causes changes in their children’s speech and language abilities over time. Parents and caregivers also varied in their opinions of whether their medical providers listened to their concerns.

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