Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children: Etiology, management, and outcome
Jacob Pitaro1, Avital Bechor-Fellner1, Haim Gavriel1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Zerifin 70300, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in children is often linked to viral infections, with most experiencing some hearing recovery. Intratympanic steroid injections may offer additional benefits for pediatric SSNHL patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neurotology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is rare.
- Current management guidelines are primarily based on adult data.
- Etiologies, treatment, and outcomes in children require specific investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cases of SSNHL in children.
- To examine the causes, treatments, and outcomes of pediatric SSNHL.
- To inform the development of pediatric-specific management guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric SSNHL patients (under 18).
- Data collected: demographics, symptoms, onset, audiometry, diagnostics, treatment, and outcomes.
- Analysis of serologic tests and imaging (CT/MRI).
Main Results:
- Nineteen children (mean age 14) were analyzed.
- Viral infections (EBV, CMV) were identified in some patients.
- Systemic steroids were given to all; intratympanic steroids to 42%.
- 63% of patients showed partial or complete hearing improvement.
- No significant pathology found on imaging studies.
Conclusions:
- Viral infection is a common finding in pediatric SSNHL.
- Imaging studies often reveal no specific pathology.
- A majority of children experience hearing improvement.
- Intratympanic steroid injections may be beneficial.
- Further research is needed to establish pediatric SSNHL guidelines.
Background And Objectives:
Pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is uncommon, and the current guidelines for its management refer to adults. Our objective was to review cases of SSNHL in children and examine their etiologies, management, and outcome.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective chart review of all children under the age of 18 years treated for SSNHL between January 2003 and September 2014. Data recorded included age, gender, symptoms, onset of hearing loss, audiometric results, diagnostic studies, treatment, and outcome.
Results:
Nineteen children were included. Mean age was 14 years (range 7-18 years). Male: female ratio was 9:10. Degree of hearing loss varied from mild to profound across the tested frequencies. Most common accompanying symptom was tinnitus. Serologic tests demonstrated recent Epstein-Barr virus infection in one patient and previous cytomegalovirus infection in six patients. Imaging studies included computed tomography scan (n=3) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (n=12). All imaging studies did not demonstrate any pathology. Treatment included systemic steroids in 19 (100%) children and intratympanic steroids in eight (42%). Hearing completely improved in three (16%) children, partially improved in nine (47%), and there was no improvement in six (32%). One child was lost to follow-up.
Conclusions:
Viral infection was a common finding in children with SSNHL and no pathological changes were demonstrated on imaging studies. In most patients (63%), hearing improvement was observed. Intratympanic steroid injection can benefit these children. Further studies are required to investigate the etiologies and establish guidelines for the management of SSNHL in children.
More Related Videos
06:59Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation
Published on: February 29, 2020
06:01Semi-Automated Analysis of Peak Amplitude and Latency for Auditory Brainstem Response Waveforms Using R
Published on: December 9, 2022
