This study evaluates the efficacy of using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology for enhancing language development in children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Half of the participants will receive AAC technology with their speech and language therapy and half will continue with their usual care models.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
154
No change to the therapy care received
Children's Hospital of Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Syntax
Evaluated using the mean length of utterance in morphemes collected from language samples. Assessing change between baseline and 24 weeks.
Time frame: Change between baseline and 24 weeks
semantics
Variety and total number of vocabulary words used collected from language samples.Assessing change between baseline and 24 weeks.
Time frame: Change between baseline and 24 weeks
Discourse
Child's mean turn length in words collected from language samples. Assessing change between baseline and 24 weeks.
Time frame: Assessing change between baseline and 24 weeks.
Language standard scores (receptive and expressive)
Receptive language (what a child understands) and expressive language (what a child says) as measured by standardized language assessment.
Time frame: Assessing change between baseline and 24 weeks.
Social functioning
Social functioning as measured by parent-reported assessments or scales
Time frame: Assessing change between baseline and 24 weeks.
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