Comparison of Children’s Communication Checklist Between Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Hearing Adolescents

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The present research compared pragmatic abilities between deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH), and hearing adolescents using the children’s communication checklist (CCC). Methods: In this study, 16 hearing adolescents aged 11–16 and 16 deaf and DHH adolescents with similar chronological ages participated. The CCC was completed with parents of DHH and hearing adolescents. Results: The study’s results revealed that DHH and hearing adolescents had a significant difference in pragmatic composite scores (PCS) and the score of all CCC subscales. The results showed that in all subscales of the CCC, DHH adolescents received lower scores from their parents than hearing adolescents. The inappropriate initiation and stereotyped language subscales of the CCC had the highest correlation rates. Also, the pragmatic composite score showed the highest correlation with the stereotyped language subscale. Conclusion: DHH adolescents showed weaker performance in pragmatic skills than hearing adolescents.