2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| BDI-3 Communication Outcomes in Infants and Toddlers with Hearing Loss
BDI-3 Communication Outcomes in Infants and Toddlers with Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in young children can significantly impair communication development, often leading to language acquisition delays. The Battelle Developmental Inventory, Third Edition (BDI-3), released in 2020, is a widely used early intervention tool with enhanced sensitivity in its communication domain. This study evaluates communication outcomes in 67 infants and toddlers with permanent hearing loss, using data from Hawaii’s Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP) and Early Intervention Services (EIS). Usable data for analyses were available from 55 infants.
BDI-3 communication z-scores were categorized as low (= -1.0) or typical (> -1.0) and stratified by degree of hearing loss in the better ear (normal, slight/mild, mild-moderate/moderate, moderate-severe or worse, or undetermined) and birth weight (<1500 g, 1500–2499 g, =2500 g, or unknown). Cell counts below 5 were suppressed for privacy. Preliminary findings, based on collapsed hearing loss categories (slight/mild to moderate [n=33] vs. moderate-severe or worse [n=22]), show infants with moderate-severe or worse hearing loss had a higher prevalence of low communication scores (13/22, 59%) compared to those with slight/mild to moderate hearing loss (11/33, 33%; ?²=3.56, p=0.059). Similarly, among infants with known birth weight (n=55), those with low birth weight (1500–2499 g; n=14) showed elevated rates of low scores (8/14, 57%) versus normal birth weight (=2500 g; n=41; 12/41, 29%; ?²=3.50, p=0.061). Logistic regression revealed suggestive associations (OR=2.89 for moderate-severe or worse hearing loss; OR=3.22 for 1500–2499 g birth weight; both p˜0.06–0.07), though limited sample size resulted in wide confidence intervals and non-significance at p<0.05.
These results suggest hearing loss severity as a primary risk factor for communication delays, with low birth weight amplifying risk—especially when combined with severe hearing loss. The BDI-3 communication z-score is a valuable tool for identifying at-risk infants and toddlers, guiding language acquisition to support early intervention and reduce long-term developmental delays.
- Describe the association between hearing loss severity and communication delays in infants and toddlers, including prevalence differences across categories.
- Identify low birth weight as a potential amplifier of communication risks in children with hearing loss, based on odds ratios and statistical trends.
- Explain the role of the BDI-3 communication z-score in early screening and intervention for at-risk young children.
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Presenters/Authors
Jin Dong
(Primary Presenter,Author), Children with Special Health Branch, State Department of Health, Hawaii, jin.dong@doh.hawaii.gov;
Jin Dong is a dedicated Research Statistician with the Hawai?i State Department of Health, supporting the Newborn Screening Program through multi-dataset analysis, data-driven reporting, and collaborative data sharing. With a PhD and extensive molecular biology experience from the University of Hawai?i and Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, she blends rigorous research with a mother’s passion to improve the health of Hawai?i’s keiki.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Jasmine Jones
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Newborn Hearing Screening Program, jasmine.jones@doh.hawaii.gov;
Jasmine Jones is a dedicated public health professional with a Bachelor’s of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology. For several years, she worked as the Grant Activities Coordinator for Hawaii’s Newborn Hearing Screening Program under the State Department of Health. In her newest role as Genomics Section Supervisor in the Children with Special Health Needs Branch, Jasmine is in charge of newborn hearing screening, newborn metabolic screening, and birth defects programs. She is thrilled to bring her expertise to this evolving area of children’s health.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.