Hearing and speech interactions in children with cerebral palsy, in the first 2 years

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) face communication challenges stemming from neural lesions, hearing issues, and executive function impairments, which are further complicated by interactions between motor and hearing impairments. These challenges lead to limitations in daily activities and are compounded by delays in diagnosis and interventions, adversely affecting speech, language, and cognitive function. In infants with CP, impaired motor function disrupts both feedforward and feedback mechanisms crucial for speech sound production, exacerbating the overall impact on communication development. Understanding the interplay between hearing loss and speech production in children with CP, especially in the crucial early developmental stages, is essential for implementing timely interventions and guiding multidisciplinary care teams in both clinical and home settings.

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) face communication challenges due to neural, hearing, and motor issues, impacting speech and language development.