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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Effect of Sensorineural Hearing Loss on Neurocognitive Functioning in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors
Etan Orgel1,2,3, Sharon H O'Neil3,4,5, Kimberly Kayser2,3
1Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center, Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach, Long Beach, California.
Insights
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) significantly impacts pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS), causing intellectual and neurocognitive deficits. Early audiology and neurocognitive assessments are crucial for effective rehabilitation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Oncology
- Audiology
Background:
- Platinum-based chemotherapy for pediatric brain tumors increases survival but causes sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).
- SNHL is a potential contributor to neurocognitive decline in pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS), alongside radiation therapy (RT).
- The long-term impact of SNHL on PBTS neurocognition requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the neurocognitive impact of significant SNHL in pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS).
- To identify specific cognitive strengths and weaknesses in PBTS with SNHL.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 58 PBTS treated with platinum therapy.
- Analysis of audiograms and neurocognitive testing data.
- Multivariate analyses adjusted for RT dose to determine independent associations.
Main Results:
- Over half of PBTS (55%) had significant SNHL, with most requiring hearing aids (72%).
- SNHL was independently associated with deficits in intelligence, executive function, and verbal reasoning.
- PBTS with SNHL demonstrated poor learning efficiency but intact memory and information acquisition.
Conclusions:
- SNHL in PBTS is linked to severe, therapy-related intellectual and neurocognitive deficits.
- Prospective studies are needed to validate findings and develop tailored screening and rehabilitation strategies.
- Integrating audiology and neurocognitive assessments is essential for managing PBTS with SNHL.
Background:
Intensified therapy with platinum-based regimens for pediatric brain tumors has dramatically increased the number of pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) but frequently causes permanent sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Although neurocognitive decline in PBTS is known to be associated with radiation therapy (RT), SNHL represents a potential additional contributor whose long-term impact has yet to be fully determined.
Methods:
The neurocognitive impact of significant SNHL (Chang scale ≥ 2b) in PBTS was assessed through a retrospective cohort study of audiograms and neurocognitive testing. Scores for neurocognitive domains and subtest task performance were analyzed to identify specific strengths and weakness for PBTS with SNHL.
Results:
In a cohort of PBTS (n = 58) treated with platinum therapy, significant SNHL was identified in more than half (55%, n = 32/58), of which the majority required hearing aids (72%, 23/32). RT exposure was approximately evenly divided between those with and without SNHL. PBTS were 6.7 ± 0.6 and 11.3 ± 0.7 years old at diagnosis and neurocognitive testing, respectively. In multivariate analyses adjusted for RT dose, SNHL was independently associated with deficits in intelligence, executive function, and verbal reasoning skills. Subtests revealed PBTS with SNHL to have poor learning efficiency but intact memory and information acquisition.
Conclusions:
SNHL in PBTS increases the risk for severe therapy-related intellectual and neurocognitive deficits. Additional prospective investigation in malignant brain tumors is necessary to validate these findings through integration of audiology and neurocognitive assessments and to identify appropriate strategies for neurocognitive screening and rehabilitation specific to PBTS with and without SNHL.
