Validation of LittlEARS® Early Speech Production Questionnaire in Arabic-speaking children with normal hearing.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nTo validate an Arabic version of the LittlEARS® Early Speech Production Questionnaire (LEESPQ), which assesses the early development of speech and language in infants between 0 and 18 months, in Arabic-speaking children with normal hearing in Saudi Arabia.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThis is a cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between September and December 2020. Parents completed the LEESPQ regarding their child s speech production development. To assess the ability of normal hearing children aged 0-18 months in developing speech and language production, a norm curve has been generated based on the standardized values that were calculated from the Arabic normal-hearing data set.\n\n\nRESULTS\nA total of 198 questionnaires were analyzed. The total score on the LEESPQ correlated with age, gender, and bilingualism. A norm curve for early speech production in children with normal hearing was created.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe Arabic version of LEESPQ appears to be a valid questionnaire that can be used in the assessment of early language and speech development of Arabic-speaking children with normal hearing in the age range of 0-18 months. The Arabic version of the LEESPQ might also be a useful tool to detect developmental delays and hearing disorders in young children.