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Published on: January 23, 2017
Value of systematic aetiological investigation in children with sensorineural hearing loss
M Elziere1, S Roman, R Nicollas
1Service d'ORL-pédiatrique, université de la Méditerranée, CHU Timone, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Marseille cedex 05, France.
Insights
Investigating the cause of sensorineural hearing loss in children is crucial. Practices differ significantly, with cochlear implant recipients receiving more thorough evaluations than non-recipients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most prevalent sensory impairment in children.
- Accurate etiological diagnosis is vital for prognosis and effective management of pediatric SNHL.
- Evaluating diagnostic practices for SNHL in children is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare etiological investigations for SNHL in children with and without cochlear implants.
- To assess current professional practices in France regarding SNHL diagnosis in pediatric patients.
- To identify disparities in diagnostic approaches based on treatment pathway.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 107 children (<18 years) with SNHL.
- Inclusion criteria: first-time attendance at a pediatric ENT department (Jan 2007-Jan 2009).
- Analysis of clinical interview data and all complementary investigations.
Main Results:
- Hearing loss etiologies were categorized as genetic, acquired, or unknown.
- Unknown origin accounted for 52% of non-implanted children (n=87).
- Unknown origin was identified in only 15% of cochlear-implanted children (n=20).
Conclusions:
- Practices for investigating SNHL etiology in children are heterogeneous.
- Children receiving cochlear implants underwent more systematic etiological investigations.
- A standardized etiological investigation protocol for all pediatric SNHL cases is needed.
Unlabelled:
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common form of sensory impairment in children. As a precise aetiological diagnosis has major prognostic and management implications, it is useful to evaluate the contents of the aetiological investigation of sensorineural hearing loss in France. This article presents a retrospective review of professional practices by comparing the aetiological investigation of hearing loss in children with a cochlear implant and children without a cochlear implant.
Patients And Methods:
One hundred and seven children under the age of 18 years with unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss attending the paediatric ENT department for the first time between January 2007 and January 2009 were included in the study. Data from the clinical interview and all complementary investigations were analysed.
Results:
The various aetiologies of hearing loss were classified as genetic, acquired, or unknown in each of the two populations. Hearing loss was of unknown origin in 52% of the 87 non-implanted children and 15% of the 20 children with a cochlear implant.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates the heterogeneous practices in terms of aetiological investigation of sensorineural hearing loss as a function of the target population. A more systematic aetiological investigation was performed in children fitted with a cochlear implant, requiring multidisciplinary management. This study indicates the need to define a standard aetiological investigation for all children with sensorineural hearing loss.
