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

Abstract

Objectives: To 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. Methods: This 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. Results: A 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. Conclusion: The 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.