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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
A diagnostic paradigm including cytomegalovirus testing for idiopathic pediatric sensorineural hearing loss
Albert H Park1, Melanie Duval, Stephanie McVicar
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.
Insights
Early cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing is feasible and cost-effective for diagnosing pediatric hearing loss. This approach identified CMV as the cause in 30% of cases, supporting its role in early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children can have various etiologies.
- Identifying the cause of SNHL is crucial for timely intervention and management.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a known cause of congenital and acquired hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of integrating cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing into the diagnostic workup for pediatric hearing loss.
- To determine the incidence of CMV as an etiology for SNHL in young children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 111 children (≤3 years) with SNHL from 2008-2013.
- Sequential diagnostic approach including CMV testing when initial evaluation was inconclusive.
- Comparison of CMV testing costs against genetic testing and imaging.
Main Results:
- CMV was identified as the etiology in 30% (25/83) of children tested, representing the largest identified group.
- CMV screening demonstrated the lowest cost among diagnostic tests, except for cases of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.
- The study established a novel diagnostic paradigm incorporating CMV testing.
Conclusions:
- The proposed diagnostic paradigm integrating CMV testing is feasible and cost-effective for pediatric SNHL.
- Early CMV testing is supported by its high incidence in identified cases and low assay cost.
- Early diagnosis of CMV-induced SNHL offers indirect benefits for affected children.
Objectives/Hypothesis:
To determine the feasibility and cost effectiveness of incorporating cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing to determine the etiology of pediatric hearing loss.
Study Design:
Retrospective study of children presenting with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at one institution from 2008 to 2013.
Methods:
Children aged 3 years or younger who presented to the senior author (A.P.) between May 2008 and September 2013 with confirmed SNHL were evaluated. These children underwent a sequential diagnostic paradigm that incorporated CMV testing if no obvious etiology could be determined from the history or physical examination.
Results:
One hundred eleven children with SNHL were evaluated between 2008 and 2013. Eighty-three children underwent CMV testing, imaging, and a genetic evaluation. Those with confirmed or probable CMV-induced SNHL made up 30% of all children tested (n = 25), the largest group identified. CMV screening had the lowest cost compared to genetic testing or imaging for all types of hearing loss, except for those with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.
Conclusion:
We present the first sequential diagnostic paradigm utilizing CMV testing for children presenting with SNHL. The relatively high incidence of CMV-induced SNHL, the low cost for this assay, and the indirect benefits from early diagnosis support the role of early CMV testing for these patients.
Level Of Evidence:
4.
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