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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
[Sensorineural hearing loss in cerebral palsy patients]
C Morales Angulo1, N Azuara Blanco, J Gallo Terán
1Servicio de ORL, Hospital Sierrallana, Torrelavega. cmorales@hsll.scsalud.es
Insights
Sensorineural hearing loss is common in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Early audiological assessment is crucial for improving language development in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Audiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Context:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of chronic motor disability in children.
- CP frequently co-occurs with sensory impairments, including hearing loss.
- Understanding the prevalence of hearing loss in CP is essential for comprehensive care.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
- To analyze associated pathologies and treatment outcomes for SNHL in this population.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 64 children with CP. Audiological testing revealed SNHL in 60% of tested patients (18 out of 30).
- Hearing loss was bilateral in 12 cases and unilateral in 6. Thirteen patients with SNHL also had mental retardation.
- Diagnosis age ranged from 3 months to 7 years. Treatments included hearing aids and cochlear implantation.
Impact:
- Sensorineural hearing loss is a significant comorbidity in children with cerebral palsy.
- Effective management is challenging due to motor and associated conditions.
- Early audiological screening is vital for optimizing language outcomes in children with CP.
Introduction:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common chronic motor disorder in children and frequently associates sensorial pathology. The objective of our study was to establish the prevalence and characteristics of sensorineural hearing loss in children with CP.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective study of patients born between the years 1975 and 2004, diagnosed of CP in the "Marqués de Valdecilla" University Hospital. Clinical data were collected including the presence of sensorineural hearing loss, age at diagnosis, treatment and associated pathology.
Results:
Sixty four patients had confirmed CP. Audiological testing had been performed in thirty patients (47%) of them 18 (60%) had sensorineural hearing loss (12 bilateral and 6 unilateral). In thirteen cases hearing loss was associated with mental retardation. The age at diagnosis ranged from 3 months to 7 years (mean 23.2 months). Eight patients were treated with hearing aids and one with a cochlear implant.
Conclusions:
Sensorineural hearing loss is frequent in CP patients. Management of this problem is difficult in this setting because of the motor disorder and the associated pathology. Early audiological assessment is very important to improve the language outcome in these children.
