Vestibular Dysfunction and Gross Motor Milestone Acquisition in Children With Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Audiology and Vestibular Science
• Developmental Pediatrics and Motor Skills Acquisition

Background:

• Vestibular dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a potential factor influencing child development.
• Hearing loss in children can be associated with various underlying conditions, including those affecting vestibular function.
• Understanding the link between vestibular impairment and motor development is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the impact of vestibular dysfunction on gross motor development in children with hearing loss.
• To synthesize current evidence on the relationship between vestibular function and motor milestone acquisition in this population.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched major databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL.
• Included studies assessing vestibular function and gross motor milestones in children with hearing loss; assessed risk of bias using Downs and Black checklist.

Main Results:

• Eleven articles were included; over half were recent case series.
• Children with hearing loss and severe, bilateral vestibular dysfunction demonstrated delayed gross motor milestones.
• Conclusions regarding milder vestibular dysfunction were limited due to study quality, varied assessment methods, and descriptive results.

Conclusions:

• Severe vestibular dysfunction significantly impacts gross motor development in children with hearing loss.
• Further high-quality research is needed to clarify the effects of milder vestibular impairment on motor milestones.
• Improved characterization of vestibular impacts can inform targeted interventions for children with hearing loss.