Side-related differences in sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Audiology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a critical condition affecting children, with limited research differentiating outcomes in unilateral versus bilateral cases.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for effective diagnosis and management in pediatric audiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical distinctions and outcomes between unilateral and bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss in pediatric populations.
• To identify demographic, etiological, and clinical factors influencing SSNHL prognosis in children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 101 pediatric patients diagnosed with SSNHL between January 2003 and December 2016.
• Comparison of basic characteristics, suspected etiologies, clinical symptoms, and treatment courses between unilateral and bilateral SSNHL groups.

Main Results:

• Bilateral SSNHL occurred more frequently in younger children and was associated with a higher proportion of profound deafness and suspected etiologies compared to unilateral SSNHL.
• Short-term hearing recovery rates were significantly better in children with unilateral SSNHL (37.0%) than in those with bilateral SSNHL (12.5%).
• Milder initial hearing loss, earlier treatment initiation, and older age at onset were linked to better prognoses, particularly in unilateral cases.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss, whether unilateral or bilateral, can lead to cochlear damage but may stem from different underlying causes.
• The findings highlight distinct demographic and outcome profiles for unilateral and bilateral SSNHL in children, informing clinical practice and future research.