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Background: Delayed communication development is the most common symptom of developmental disability in children under three. Recurrent otitis media is an important contributing factor to a developmental communication delay. Young children under the age of three years who have a communication delay due to biological risk factors, for example prematurity, or established risk factors, such as Down Syndrome, may be further at risk for developmental delays as a result of recurrent otitis media.

Methods: A retrospective study analyzed the results obtained from individual hearing assessments conducted on 67 high-risk infants and toddlers ranging from 4 weeks to 37 …