Abstract

Disruption of language skills at any stage of life can negatively affect an individual’s psychosocial development, similar to other disability groups. In some cases, even if peripheral hearing is within normal limits, language development may still be delayed. This retrospective study included 104 children aged 12 to 72 months presenting with speech delay. The Turkish Early Language Development Test (TEDIL) was used to diagnose speech delay in children whose receptive and expressive language skills were below chronological age. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing was performed to record the latencies and amplitudes of waves I, III, and V. Absolute latencies and interpeak latencies (I–III, III–V, I–V) were statistically analyzed. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in wave latencies of the right and left ears for children aged 15–24 months when compared to normative values (p

Key words: Auditory brainstem response, speech delay, language disorder, Turkish Early Language Development Test