Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss: diagnosed causes and response to intervention
Yael Tarshish1, Alison Leschinski, Margaret Kenna
1Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, LO-367, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Insights
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in children is often undiagnosed, with viral infections being a common cause. Further research is needed to understand its incidence and optimize treatment, particularly steroid efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neurotology
- Audiology
Background:
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a critical condition in children, often overlooked.
- Understanding its causes and effective management in pediatric patients is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify pediatric patients with SSNHL.
- To investigate the etiologies, diagnostic methods, and treatment outcomes for pediatric SSNHL.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for pediatric SSNHL cases (2007-2012).
- Data collection included demographics, audiometry, symptom onset, diagnostic tests, and treatment response.
- Institutional Review Board approval was obtained.
Main Results:
- 12/20 patients were male, with a mean age of 11.41 years.
- Viral infections were the most common etiology (n=12), followed by congenital CMV, noise, enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA), and ototoxicity.
- Imaging (CT/MRI) identified etiology in 2/22 cases; steroids were administered to 15/20 patients with variable responses.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of pediatric SSNHL remains unknown.
- Etiologies are diverse, including viral, EVA, ototoxicity, and noise-related factors.
- Further studies are required to determine optimal treatment strategies, especially regarding steroid use.
Objective:
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an underappreciated issue in pediatric patient care. The goal of this study was to identify children who met the criteria for SSNHL and examine the etiologies, useful diagnostic studies, and treatment outcomes for these patients.
Methods:
A retrospective medical records review was performed in patients meeting the criteria for SSNHL seen at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2007 to 2012. Information collected included age, gender, audiometric evaluations, onset and duration of hearing loss, additional symptoms, diagnostic studies and response to any medical management. The Institutional Review Board approved this project.
Results:
12/20 patients were male. Mean age was 11.41 years (3 months-24 years). Hearing loss was bilateral in 9/20 patients. Degree of hearing loss ranged from mild to profound across frequencies. Probable etiologies were viral of unknown type (n = 12), late presentation of congenital CMV (n = 1), noise-related (n = 1), non organic (n = 1), enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) (n = 1), one with both acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and significant ototoxic exposure (n = 1), one had significant ototoxic exposure and an inflammatory cerebrovascular incident (n = 1), and unknown (n = 2). Diagnostic studies included temporal bone computed tomography (CT) (n = 15) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 15), Lyme titers (n = 9), streptococcal throat culture (n = 1) and EBV (n = 1) and mumps titers (n = 1). Positive diagnostic studies included 1 MRI consistent with congenital CMV, and one CT that showed an EVA . 15/20 patients received systemic steroids, 3 received antivirals, and 4 got antibiotics. Response to steroids varied from complete resolution of SSNHL to worsening. Symptoms reported, in addition to the hearing loss included tinnitus (n = 9), vertigo (n = 9), sensation of a blocked ear (n = 6), and otalgia (n = 4).
Conclusions:
The incidence of SSNHL in pediatric patients is unknown. Etiologies of SSNHL include viral, EVA, ototoxicity, noise, and non-organic. Most studies were non-diagnostic although 2/22 CT/MRI provided an etiology. Identification of other causes required careful history review. The incidence of SSNHL in the pediatric population needs to be studied, and the timing, dosage, route and efficacy of steroids further evaluated.
