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Aided auditory thresholds in children with postmeningitic deafness.
P E Brookhouser1, M C Auslander
1Boys Town National Institute for Communication Disorders in Children, Omaha, Neb. 68131.
The Laryngoscope
|August 1, 1989
Summary
Postmeningitic hearing loss in children can improve with hearing aids over time. Some children initially showing little benefit may later demonstrate excellent results with amplification and auditory training.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
Background:
- Postmeningitic hearing loss is frequently bilateral, profound, and sudden.
- Children with this condition are often evaluated for cochlear implantation.
- The optimal duration for a trial of conventional amplification before cochlear implant consideration is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefit of conventional amplification in children with postmeningitic sensorineural hearing loss.
- To determine changes in aided hearing thresholds over time.
- To inform decisions regarding cochlear implant candidacy.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five children with bilateral severe-to-profound postmeningitic sensorineural hearing loss were included.
- Children were fitted with appropriate amplification.
- Serial-aided tests were conducted to assess auditory responses and benefit.
Main Results:
- Twelve children showed clear aided responses indicating residual hearing and good benefit.
- Ten children had limited benefit, responding only in the vibrotactile range.
- Three children initially showing minimal responses later demonstrated excellent benefit with binaural hearing aids after 16-25 months of auditory training.
Conclusions:
- Conventional amplification can provide significant benefit for some children with postmeningitic hearing loss, even with initial limited responses.
- A prolonged trial of amplification and auditory training is crucial before ruling out benefit.
- Careful consideration is needed when determining cochlear implant candidacy in this population.