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Relevant factors in the identification of hearing loss
A L Mace1, K L Wallace, M Q Whan
1Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska.
Insights
Early identification of childhood hearing loss is crucial. Factors like degree of loss and additional conditions aid earlier detection, though family history can delay it, contrary to recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Early identification of hearing loss in children is critical for development.
- Delayed diagnosis impacts habilitation and long-term outcomes.
- Current identification ages often fall short of recommended guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing the early identification of hearing loss in children.
- To analyze the relationship between specific child characteristics and the age of hearing loss detection.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 123 children with significant hearing impairment.
- Data collection included degree/type of hearing loss, etiology, medical history, and identification/habilitation ages.
- Statistical analysis to identify correlations between factors and age of identification.
Main Results:
- Median age of identification was 2.1 years, with a wide range (7 weeks to 10 years).
- Children with severe hearing loss, additional handicaps, or related medical conditions were identified earlier.
- Positive family history of hearing loss was unexpectedly associated with later identification.
Conclusions:
- While certain factors facilitate earlier detection, overall identification ages remain delayed.
- Results highlight the need for improved screening and diagnostic processes to meet recommended timelines.
- Addressing factors like family history communication is essential for timely intervention.
Abstract:
This study examined factors which may affect early identification of hearing loss. The medical records of 123 children with educationally significant hearing impairment were examined. Information about each child's degree and type of hearing loss, etiology, referral source, birth and medical history, additional handicaps, age of suspicion of loss, mode of identification, age of identification, and age at which aided was entered into a database for further analysis. The age range for identification was 7 weeks to 10 yr, with a median age of 2.1 yr. Children with a greater degree of hearing loss, an additional handicap, additional medical conditions, or an etiology strongly associated with hearing loss were identified earlier than those without these factors. Unexpectedly, children with a history of middle ear dysfunction were identified no later than those without, and children with a positive family history of hearing loss were identified later than those with a negative family history. These results agree with other studies which show that, in general, children are identified and habilitated at a later age than that recommended by both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Committee and the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing.