Silent Signals: Unveiling Cochlear Nerve Deficiency in a Child Through Imaging

Cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) is a rare cause of congenital sensorineural hearing loss, often leading to serious communication challenges if not diagnosed and treated early. We present this case of a three-year-old male child with congenital hearing loss and sensory aphasia. Despite normal cochlear anatomy on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the absence of the cochlear nerve on the right side. The diagnosis of right-sided CND was confirmed, and the patient was advised to undergo cochlear implantation and speech therapy. This case underscores the importance of timely imaging, particularly using MRI with high-resolution sequences, in diagnosing CND and facilitating early intervention to improve auditory and developmental outcomes.