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Management of hearing loss in children with Down syndrome
Source: http://www.nzdsa.org.nz/management_of_hearing_loss_in_ch.htm

"It is therefore not surprising that Pappas et al. (1994), in a pilot study
of six children with Down syndrome, found that early intervention in the
first year of life, based on meaningful language input through the auditory
channel using assistive listening devices (sound-field amplification) had a
positive impact on oral language development."

From: http://www.altonweb.com/cs/downsyndrome/index.htm?page=magicspr98.html

"People with Down Syndrome have long been recognized as an at risk
group for hearing loss. Studies repeatedly report a discrepancy between
receptive language and expressive language. In this disorder, ear canals are
documented to be very small and abnormally shaped making it difficult for
the ears to drain. Ear infections (otitis media), wax build up (cerumen
impaction) and effusion (fluid behind the eardrum) are common. It is
estimated that perhaps as high as 75% of DS individuals experience
conductive hearing loss. Could this consistent, persistent hearing loss be
the cause of the delay in speech and communication skills in DS?
The authors of the study Otological and Habilitative Management of
Children with Down Syndrome by Pappas, MD, Flexer, PhD; and Shakelford, MA.
Present an aggressive, multi-discipline treatment model that is instituted
during the first year of life. Reconstruction of the external auditory
canal, amplification technology, and speech/language intervention that
emphasizes auditory-verbal therapy are discussed. In a pilot study, we
compared the language development for six infants with Down syndrome who
received aggressive treatment during their first year of life (group A) to
six infants who did not (group B). The results showed age-appropriate oral
language development for the infants in group A.
While this is just a pilot study with only a small group, the results
arc remarkable. I have never met a DS individual with age appropriate
speech. This study has some major implications."

Otological and Habilitative Management of Children with Down Syndrome
From: http://www.altonweb.com/cs/downsyndrome/index.htm?page=earab.html

Journal: Laryngoscope Date of Pub: 1994 Sep
Author: Pappas DG; Flexer C; Shackelford L
Issue/Part/Supplement: 9 Volume: 104 Pagination: 1065-70

"It has been well-established that children with Down syndrome
experience a high incidence of persistent conductive hearing loss because of
their predisposition to stenosis of the external auditory canal (EAC),
cerumen impaction, serious otitis media (SOM), and cholesteatoma. Because
this hearing problem may be a primary cause of the spoken communication
skills in these children being far below their cognitive ability, assertive
management is required. The authors present an aggressive multi-discipline
treatment model that is instituted during the first year of life in an
infant with Down syndrome. Reconstruction of the EAC, amplification
technology, and speech/language intervention that emphasizes auditory-verbal
(A/V) therapy are discussed. In a pilot study, we compared the language
development of six infants with Down syndrome who received aggressive
treatment during their first year of life (group A) to six infants who did
not (group B). The results showed age-appropriate oral language development
for the infants in group A."