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Updated: May 14, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Prevalence and risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss: Western Sicily overview
Pietro Salvago1, Enrico Martines, Francesco Martines
1Sezione di Otorinolaringoiatria, Dipartimento di Biomedicina Sperimentale e Neuroscienze Cliniche (BioNeC), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Insights
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects over 10% of infants at risk, with family history and TORCH infections being key factors. Early diagnosis and neonatal hearing screening are crucial to prevent auditory deprivation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a significant concern in infants.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate SNHL prevalence and risk factors in at-risk infants.
- To understand the interaction of risk factors in deafness development.
Main Methods:
- Global audiological assessment (TEOAE, tympanometry, ABR) in 508 at-risk infants.
- Analysis of Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (2007) risk factors.
- Statistical analysis of prevalence and risk factor associations.
Main Results:
- 10.03% of infants diagnosed with SNHL (mean threshold 87.39 dB HL).
- Family history of hearing impairment (HI) and TORCH infections identified as significant independent risk factors.
- Increased SNHL incidence with a higher number of risk factors, particularly in NICU infants and those with hyperbilirubinemia.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of SNHL necessitates early diagnosis and intervention.
- Multiple risk factors significantly increase the likelihood of hearing loss.
- Implementation of a neonatal hearing screening program in Western Sicily is recommended.
Abstract:
The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and distribution of the main risk factors associated to it focusing on their role in the development of deafness and their interaction. We performed a global audiological assessment (through TEOAE, tympanometry and ABR) in 508 infants at risk studying the main risk factors reported by Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (2007). Fifty-one infants (10.03 %) were diagnosed with SNHL (45 bilateral and 6 unilateral) with a mean hearing threshold of 87.39 ± 28.25 dB HL; family history of hearing impairment (HI) and TORCH infections indicated independent significant risk factors (P < 0.00001 and P = 0.024, respectively). High SNHL percentages were evidenced also in NICU babies, due to the various pathologies and risk factors presented by these infants, and among newborns who suffered from hyperbilirubinemia (11.97 and 9.52 %, respectively). The mean degree of hearing loss for children with family history of HI (>100 dB HL) emphasizes the necessity of an early diagnosis to avoid the consequences of auditory deprivation. Craniofacial abnormalities and syndromes associated to HI showed an important relationship (P < 0.00001) with conductive hearing loss. A progressive increase was evidenced in SNHL incidence as the number of risk factors rises (from 5.12 for 2 risk factors to 28.5 % for 5 or more) with a significant difference among the groups (P = 0.049); multiple risk factors showed an additional cofactor for HL (r (2) = 0.93). Considering the high SNHL prevalence (10.03 %) in infants at risk, this study highlights the necessity to implement a neonatal hearing screening program in Western Sicily.
