This study, part of a 4-year longitudinal project, examined the possible relationship between persistent otitis media (middle ear disease) in early childhood and speech and language functioning. Subjects were 38 black preschool children between 3 and 7 years of age who, although normal in intellectual and verbal functioning, were identified as at high risk for poor school performance because of socioeconomic and cultural factors. Data were recorded over 2 years regarding occurrence of otitis media (with children screened once a month); speech production accuracy (using the Goldman Fristoe Test of Articulation which also assessed the number of consonants in error); and language form, content, and use (using the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts computer program). Results of analyses showed no relationship between incidence of otitis media and number of consonants in error on the articulation test. The error and process rate for the subjects appeared to be within the range of normally developing children. The data did suggest that children with more otitis media in their history had less intelligible conversational speech. It is concluded that the results support only a slight otitis media speech relationship for high risk disadvantaged children. (CB)