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Updated: May 30, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
[Progressive or delayed early-onset pediatric sensorineural hearing loss]
Yuko Kataoka1, Kunihiro Fukushima, Yukihide Maeda
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Postgraduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama.
Insights
Early diagnosis of pediatric hearing loss is crucial. Some children without known risk factors develop progressive hearing impairment, highlighting the need for advanced imaging like CT scans to detect conditions such as enlarged vestibular aqueduct.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Context:
- Newborn hearing screening identifies many cases of early childhood hearing loss.
- Delayed-onset or progressive hearing loss affects 4-30% of pediatric cases, often requiring audiological follow-up.
- Children with perinatal risk factors are more susceptible to hearing deterioration.
Purpose:
- To investigate the progression of hearing impairment in children, focusing on those with and without known risk factors.
- To identify underlying causes of hearing deterioration in infants and young children.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current screening and diagnostic protocols for pediatric hearing loss.
Summary:
- Retrospective study of children undergoing cochlear implantation, focusing on 10 with hearing impairment progression during infancy.
- Identified enlarged vestibular aqueduct in 3 of 6 cases initially thought to have no risk factors.
- Two cases with enlarged vestibular aqueduct passed newborn screening, and one had hemilateral hearing loss detected by screening.
Impact:
- Underscores the necessity of early temporal computed tomography for detecting enlarged vestibular aqueduct.
- Recommends regular audiometric and developmental testing every 6 months for children with mild or hemilateral hearing loss up to elementary school age.
- Emphasizes thorough hearing tests for all suspected cases, irrespective of newborn screening results, to ensure early detection and intervention.
Abstract:
The introduction of newborn-hearing screening has enabled early childhood hearing loss to be diagnosed and increased the number of children undergoing early care. Bilateral hearing loss is found in 0.08% of newborns and children whose hearing loss progresses or onset is delayed account for 4 to 30% of all pediatric hearing impairment. Children with perinatal risk factors tend to have deteriorated hearing or delayed-onset hearing loss in early childhood, necessitating audiometric follow-up. We also are aware of some children without risk factors who develop hearing impairment during infancy or early childhood. Hearing deterioration may be difficult to diagnose objectively, especially in young children, the presence of risk factors must be determines as soon as possible, especially given the lack of hearing management and close examination of children without apparent risk factors. We retrospectively studied children born from April 1998 to March 2007 and undergoing cochlear implantation as of April 2008. Among cases, we focused on 10 whose hearing impairment advanced during infancy -4 with risk factors known before hearing deterioration progressed, and 6 cases thought not to have any risk factors. We detected enlarged vestibular acquaduct in 3 of these 6 cases, and 3 more of whom had no risk factors -2 passing newborn-hearing screening and 1 in whom such screening detected hemilateral hearing loss. Our results underscore the need for early temporal computed tomography for detecting enlarged vestibular aquaduct. Even children with mild or hemilateral hearing loss should undergo audiometric and developmental testing at least every 6 months up to going to elementary school. Children suspected of impaired hearing should undergo thorough hearing tests regardless of newborn hearing-screening results to catch any problems early. Appropriate regular hearing and language development check-up tests must also be developed.
