This study defined developmental functions for Pediatric Speech Intelligibility word and sentence materials presented in quiet and in competition for 25 normal children and 25 children with recurrent otitis media. Ages ranged from 24 to 56 mos. In normal children, developmental functions for Pediatric Speech Intelligibility speech materials showed earlier development of performance (1) in quiet than in competition and (2) for words than for sentences (competing condition). In children with otitis media, developmental functions were normal for both words and sentences in quiet and for sentences in competition. However, developmental functions were grossly abnormal for words in competition.