Audiologic testing in children with Down Syndrome: Are current guidelines optimal?
Razan A Basonbul1, Evette A Ronner2, Anni Rong3
1Department of Otolaryngology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|April 7, 2020
Summary
Hearing loss is common in children with Down syndrome (DS). Optimal hearing screening for DS patients should occur before 6 months or after 10 months to ensure accurate results and avoid sedation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Genetics and Hearing Loss
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is a primary risk factor for childhood hearing loss.
- Established guidelines recommend close audiological monitoring for children with DS.
- Timely hearing testing is crucial for obtaining reliable data in this high-risk group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report hearing outcomes in children with Down syndrome up to 8 years of age.
- To evaluate these outcomes against current hearing screening guidelines.
- To identify optimal timing for audiological assessments in young children with DS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of audiometric data from children with DS (age ≤ 8 years).
- Data collected from a multidisciplinary DS clinic (January 2014 - June 2017).
- Key metrics included age at testing, test success rates, and hearing loss characteristics.
Main Results:
- 36% of DS patients failed newborn hearing screening; 9% had normal follow-up tests.
- Mild, conductive hearing loss was the most frequent diagnosis.
- Inconclusive test results were most common between 6-10 months of age.
Conclusions:
- Hearing impairment is highly prevalent in the pediatric DS population.
- To enhance test quality and minimize sedation, follow-up screenings should be scheduled before 6 months or after 10 months of age.
- Strategic timing of audiological evaluations is key for effective management in children with Down syndrome.
