Abstract
Purpose: This retrospective analysis evaluates the Developmental Snapshot as a language monitoring tool for infants and toddlers with bilateral hearing loss who use listening and spoken language.
Method: Data were obtained from the educational and clinical records of 147 children with bilateral hearing loss. For each child, the LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) Developmental Snapshot, a standardized online language assessment that relies on parent report, had been completed at least once. When available, scores from other standardized language assessments (PLS-5, CDI, and DAYC-2) were also obtained.
Results: LENA Developmental Snapshot standard scores were characterized by high variability and mean scores in the low average normative range. Scores were strongly and positively correlated with those from other standardized language assessments. Longitudinal analysis revealed that LENA Developmental Snapshot raw scores increased by 1 point with every 1-month increase in age.
Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate the utility of the LENA Developmental Snapshot for regular language monitoring in children who are deaf or hard of hearing and use listening and spoken language to communicate. It can be completed by parents online and is particularly well suited for families who participate in tele-intervention. It provides information about rate of language growth and can signal the need for more in-depth language assessment.
Recommended Citation
Oster, M. & Peters, K. A. (2026). Monitoring Spoken Language in Infants and Toddlers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing using the LENA Developmental Snapshot. Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, 11(1), 70-80. DOI: 10.59620/2381-2362.1266
Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/jehdi/vol11/iss1/6
Included in
Early Childhood Education Commons, Speech and Hearing Science Commons, Speech Pathology and Audiology Commons
