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Hearing loss in children with Down syndrome
S R Shott1, A Joseph, D Heithaus
1Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. shots0@chmcc.org
Insights
Aggressive treatment of chronic ear disease in children with Down syndrome (DS) significantly improves hearing. Early diagnosis and intervention lead to 98% of children achieving normal hearing levels after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Genetics and Developmental Biology
Background:
- Hearing loss is common in children with Down syndrome (DS), with previous studies reporting incidence rates between 38-78%.
- Chronic ear disease is a significant contributor to hearing impairment in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide updated information on hearing loss in children with Down syndrome (DS).
- To evaluate the effectiveness of aggressive, early intervention for chronic ear disease in improving hearing outcomes in children with DS.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year longitudinal study involving 48 children with DS, all under 2 years of age at enrollment.
- Comprehensive otolaryngologic care, including state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatments for chronic ear disease.
- Evaluation of pre-treatment and post-treatment audiologic results after the first year of intervention.
Main Results:
- Following treatment for chronic otitis media, 98% of children achieved normal hearing levels.
- Medical and surgical interventions, including the use of pressure equalization tubes (PETs), were effective in reversing hearing loss.
- Only two children experienced residual mild hearing loss after treatment.
Conclusions:
- Aggressive, meticulous, and compulsive diagnosis and treatment of chronic ear disease in children with DS, initiated early in life, significantly improves hearing levels.
- Early and comprehensive management of ear conditions can lead to better hearing outcomes compared to previously reported data.
Objective:
Previous studies report a 38-78% incidence of hearing loss in children with Down syndrome (DS). The purpose of this study was to establish more up to date information about hearing loss in children with DS.
Methods:
A 5-year longitudinal study following the otolaryngologic problems seen in children with DS was initiated in February, 1999 at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, OH. Aggressive, 'state of the art' treatment, both medical and surgical, was provided to a group of children, (n=48), all of whom were entered into the study at an age under 2 years. Specific interventions and treatments were reviewed in regards to following and treating the children's chronic ear disease. Hearing level results at the end of the first year of the study were evaluated in this publication. This includes both pre-treatment and post-treatment audiologic results.
Results:
After treatment of easily reversible hearing loss from chronic otitis media, either with medical or surgical treatment with PET's, 98% of the children had normal hearing levels. Only two children had residual mild hearing losses after treatment interventions.
Conclusion:
Aggressive, meticulous and compulsive diagnosis and treatment of chronic ear disease in children with DS, started soon after birth, provides significantly improved hearing levels than reported previously.