Serous Otitis Media Associated with Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Children

The effect of a conductive hearing loss secondary to serous otitis media in children with sensorineural hearing loss was seen to be an increase in threshold and in one case a decrease in speech discrimination. The diagnosis of the conductive component can be made by means of measurement of impedance, middle ear pressure, the recording of a tympanogram and otoscopy. It is likely that a conductive component can lead to delay in the diagnosis of an underlying sensorineural hearing loss in some children which could result in exacerbation of speech and language deficits. Correction of the conductive component can convert a profound hearing loss to a severe hearing loss, or a severe hearing loss to a moderate hearing loss, and it may also increase speech discrimination.     

CHILDREN WITH GLUE EAR: HOW DO THEY PRESENT?

Children with glue ear: how do they present? A prospective study examined 280 children aged between 2 and 11 years with mild or severe forms of otitis media with effusion (OME). There was a 2-year delay between the first suspicion of hearing loss and presentation to an otolaryngologist. In approximately 50% of these children hearing loss was first suspected by the mother and in 20–30% detection was by routine screening tests. In most cases actual hearing loss was the subjective presenting feature, but in others, speech, language or learning difficulties heralded the problem. It is suggested that such data might be incorporated into a questionnaire for parents which may then be used to assess parental ability to detect hearing loss due to otitis media with effusion in small children.     

Medical profile of the language-delayed child: otitis-prone versus otitis-free

Delay in language development may be associated with an underlying anatomical, neurosensory, or psychological disorder such as: deafness, cerebral palsy, cleft palate, autism, or mental retardation. A condition called specific developmental language delay may occur in children devoid of any other identifiable disorder or developmental delay. Language delay associated with early onset, severe-to-profound hearing impairment has been well documented. Controversial studies have also appeared in the communicative disorders' literature suggesting that fluctuating conductive hearing loss in early childhood can significantly affect the development of language and related academic skills. Some authors have claimed that these deleterious effects can be irreversible. This study focuses on 3 groups of preschool children, in whom hearing acuity has been documented: One group with recurrent otitis and language delay; a second group with an equally well documented otitis history but without language delay; and a third group with documented language delay in the absence of any known predisposing conditions, including early-onset, recurrent otitis media. Prenatal, birth and developmental histories of the children in each group were compared in detail to identify any factors which may enhance or ameliorate the effects of fluctuating conductive hearing loss on language development. In a population of 1864 children (ages 9-59 months) referred for otolaryngologic and/or communicative evaluation, 480 otherwise normal children (67.6% males; 32.4% females) were found to have a history of early-onset, recurrent otitis media and/or delayed speech and language development on the basis of an extensive evaluation battery. This population was further subdivided into 3 groups (I = otitis-positive/normal language; II = otitis-positive/language delay; and III = otitis-free/language delay). Among the 329 children with positive histories for early otitis media (Groups I & II), a significantly higher percentage of those demonstrating language delay were from homes in the lower socio-economic category. Race and sex showed no significant relationship to language delay among the otitis-positive groups, although males were twice as numerous as females in the over-all study population. Articulation errors on speech measures and borderline delays in other developmental milestones (standing, walking, and toilet training) were also significantly greater in the language-delayed group when compared with otitis-positive children whose language was age-appropriate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Congenital defects of the middle ear - uncommon cause of pediatric hearing loss

IntroductionIn children, hypoacusis, or conductive hearing loss, is usually acquired; otitis media with effusion is the most common etiology. However, in some cases this condition is congenital, ranging from deformities of the external and middle ear to isolated ossicular chain malformations. The non-ossicular anomalies of the middle ear, for instance, persistent stapedial artery and anomaly of the facial nerve, are uncommon but may accompany the ossicular defects.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic options of congenital malformations of the middle ear.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of cases followed in otolaryngologic consultations since 2007 with the diagnosis of congenital malformation of the middle ear according to the Teunissen and Cremers classification. A review of the literature regarding the congenital malformation of the middle ear and its treatment is presented.ConclusionMiddle ear malformations are rarely responsible for conductive hearing loss in children. As a result, there is often a late diagnosis and treatment of these anomalies, which can lead to delays in the development of language and learning.     

No association between hearing loss due to bilateral otitis media with effusion and Denver-II test results in preschool children

OBJECTIVE: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is the most common cause of acquired hearing loss in childhood and has been associated with delayed language development and behavioral problems. In this study, children with an evidently recurrent otitis media were investigated. The present study examines the association between hearing loss versus developmental screening test parameters of preschool children. METHODS: Sixteen children with bilateral otitis media were compared with age-matched same number of children with normal hearing (controls). RESULTS: Language and verbal cognitive abilities were not affected significantly as a result of the presence of hearing loss because of OME. Using internationally standardized Denver-II test to evaluate the language development and other developmental screening parameters, no significant difference was found between the patient and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study failed to find any association between the hearing loss due to otitis media with effusion and speech and language parameters in preschool children.     

Pro or contra drainage of the tympanum

Ventilation tubes ("grommets") appear to be the logical treatment of chronic secretory otitis media, based on the theory of its pathogenesis. Usually they have an impressive immediate effect, and enjoy great popularity. However, there are critics who restrict the indications, for two reasons: it has been observed repeatedly that the spontaneous healing rate in secretory otitis media is about 80%, and follow up studies over several years suggest that persistent lesions of the middle ear (scars and defects of the tympanic membrane, conductive hearing loss, cholesteatoma etc.) occur somewhat more often in grommet-treated ears than in ears without ventilation tubes. A therapeutic advantage of ventilation tubes in the resolution of chronic secretory otitis media has not been proved. Therefore, according to our present knowledge the only treatment effect of ventilation tubes is the immediate elimination of conductive hearing loss. As development studies in children suggest that a conductive hearing loss does not become a handicap for speech and mental development unless it has persisted for several months, ventilation tubes seem to be indicated only when a bilateral middle ear effusion of greater than 25 dB persists for more than 3 months. However, in children with delayed speech development one should not wait such a long time, because they particularly depend upon normal hearing ability.     

The Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid for children: Recent developments

In 1984 the Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid, or BAHA, system was introduced. Its transducer is coupled directly to the skull percutaneously to form a highly effective bone-conduction hearing device. Clinical studies on adults with conductive hearing loss have shown that the BAHA system outperforms conventional bone-conduction hearing aids. Therefore, the next step was to apply the BAHA system in children with congenital or acquired conductive hearing loss. Reviewed data showed that, on average, such children benefited significantly more from the BAHA than from reconstructive surgery. Thus, BAHA application appears to be the best option to achieve normal communication and speech and language development in children with bilateral conductive hearing loss. However, in children under the age of three to four years, a conventional solution must be applied, e.g. a bone conductor with a transcutaneous coupling, because they are too young to undergo BAHA implant surgery. In the case of unilateral congenital conductive hearing loss, there is no convincing evidence in the clinical literature for early intervention.

In summary, the BAHA system can be considered a new, indispensable tool for children with bilateral conductive hearing loss.     

幼儿慢性分泌性中耳炎与学语迟缓的关系

目的：探讨幼儿学语迟缓与慢性分泌性中耳炎(SOM)的关系。方法：回顾性分析20例因患慢性SOM致学语迟缓幼儿的临床资料。结果：20例幼儿中耳置管术后，听力恢复正常，语言发育进展迅速，赶上同龄儿童。结论：部分学语迟缓的患儿与SOM有关；积极治疗幼儿SOM有利于提高患儿语言的正常发育。     

Early age conductive hearing loss causes audiogenic seizure and hyperacusis behavior

Recent clinical reports found a high incidence of recurrent otitis media in children suffering hyperacusis, a marked intolerance to an otherwise ordinary environmental sound. However, it is unclear whether the conductive hearing loss caused by otitis media in early age will affect sound tolerance later in life. Thus, we have tested the effects of tympanic membrane (TM) damage at an early age on sound perception development in rats. Two weeks after the TM perforation, more than 80% of the rats showed audiogenic seizure (AGS) when exposed to loud sound (120?dB SPL white noise, 相似文献   

The bone-anchored hearing aid for children: recent developments

In 1984 the Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid, or BAHA, system was introduced. Its transducer is coupled directly to the skull percutaneously to form a highly effective bone-conduction hearing device. Clinical studies on adults with conductive hearing loss have shown that the BAHA system outperforms conventional bone-conduction hearing aids. Therefore, the next step was to apply the BAHA system in children with congenital or acquired conductive hearing loss. Reviewed data showed that, on average, such children benefited significantly more from the BAHA than from reconstructive surgery. Thus, BAHA application appears to be the best option to achieve normal communication and speech and language development in children with bilateral conductive hearing loss. However, in children under the age of three to four years, a conventional solution must be applied, e.g. a bone conductor with a transcutaneous coupling, because they are too young to undergo BAHA implant surgery. In the case of unilateral congenital conductive hearing loss, there is no convincing evidence in the clinical literature for early intervention. In summary, the BAHA system can be considered a new, indispensable tool for children with bilateral conductive hearing loss.     

Effects of mild hearing loss on auditory processing

The impact on language learning of mild hearing loss due to otitis media with effusion has forced a new look at the dynamics of central auditory processing. A model of auditory deprivation that would produce the test results that define CAP deficits would be a mild conductive hearing loss. It is relevant to reexamine CAP theory in terms of such hearing loss.     

Otological and habilitative management of children with down syndrome

It has been well-established that children with Down syndrome experience a high incidence of persistent conductive hearing loss because of their predisposition to stenosis of the external auditory canal (EAC), cerumen impaction, serous otitis media (SOM), and cholesteatoma. Because this hearing problem may be a primary cause of the spoken communication skills in these children being far below their cognitive ability, assertive management is required. The authors present an aggressive multi-discipline treatment model that is instituted during the first year of life in an infant with Down syndrome. Reconstruction of the EAC, amplification technology, and speech/language intervention that emphasizes auditory-verbal (A/V) therapy are discussed. In a pilot study, we compared the language development of six infants with Down syndrome who received aggressive treatment during their first year of life (group A) to six infants who did not (group B). The results showed age-appropriate oral language development for the infants in group A.     

Current potential of otorhinolaryngology for diagnostics of hearing impairment in breastfeeding and young children presenting with otitis media

Acute otitis media (AOM) is one on the most common diseases in the young children. From 21 to 62% of the infants experience AOM within the first year of life; the number of such patients amounts to 71-74% by the age of 3 years. Modern approaches to diagnostics of the loss of hearing in breastfeeding and young children as a result of acute otitis media. The authors emphasize the importance of early diagnostics of acoustical disturbances resulting from otitis media and discuss the methods for their therapy and rehabilitative treatment aimed at reducing the adverse effects of hearing impairment on the speech development and intellectual abilities of the children.     

Effects of recurrent otitis media in infancy on auditory perception and speech

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent otitis media is commonly encountered in children before 3 years of age. Conductive hearing loss up to 40 dB is frequently associated with suppurative otitis media. Good hearing is believed to be critical to the development of normal language. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of recurrent otitis media on auditory perception and speech. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The experimental group consisted of 33 children with a history of at least three episodes of acute otitis media before 2 years of age. A control group of 29 children experienced one or fewer episodes of otitis media in the first 2 years of age. At the time of investigation, all children were 8 to 10 years of age and had attended similar pre-school, kindergarten, and elementary school programs. None showed evidence of mental retardation nor behavioral or emotional disorders. Speech ability was assessed by a battery of tests specific for Slovene language. Subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children were used as well as the Reading and Writing Test. RESULTS: Auditory perception disorders were evident in 88% of children investigated who had a history of at least three episodes of otitis media by 2 years of age. Decreased auditory stimulation during the time of auditory maturation could prevent the development of these functions completely. No statistically significant differences were observed in the development of articulation. These observations underscore the importance of early management of recurrent otitis media during the first 2 years of age.     

Prenatal alcohol and cocaine exposure: influences on cognition, speech, language, and hearing

This paper reviews research on the consequences of prenatal exposure to alcohol and cocaine on children's speech, language, hearing, and cognitive development. The review shows that cognitive impairment, learning disabilities, and behavioral disorders are the central nervous system manifestations of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and cranio-facial abnormalities are also present. Delays in language acquisition, as well as receptive and expressive language deficits, are commonly reported. The cranio-facial abnormalities of FAS, which sometimes include cleft palate, make the child prone to otitis media with effusion and conductive hearing loss. The family environment in which one or both parents is a heavy alcohol user presents challenges to a child with normal intelligence, but may be especially deleterious to the child with mental retardation. Prenatal exposure to cocaine results in subtle cognitive disabilities when measured at 4 years of age. The cognitive effects may be ameliorated by a stimulating and sensitive care-giving environment. A small, deleterious "cocaine-effect" is also seen in speech and language development. The child with prenatal exposure to cocaine may be considered at increased risk for language delay or disorder. There is no evidence that prenatal cocaine exposure by itself is a risk factor for sensorineural hearing impairment, although auditory evoked potentials from the brainstem and cortex suggest some abnormalities in central auditory processing, at least during the newborn period. The strong effect of the home environment for ameliorating the effects of prenatal cocaine-exposure suggests that a family-focused approach for cognitive, language, and social-emotional habilitation would be beneficial to all. LEARNING OUTCOMES: The learner will be able to describe the major features of fetal alcohol syndrome and how they relate to speech, language, hearing, and cognitive disorders. The learner will review the literature and determine research needs with respect to language, speech, and hearing among infants and children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Similarly, the learner will distinguish the outcomes of prenatal alcohol-exposure from those of prenatal cocaine-exposure. The learner will summarize the controversy regarding the possible stigmatization of cocaine-exposed infants. The learner will summarize the speech, language, and hearing effects of prenatal cocaine-exposure.     

Speech perception after early-life otitis media with fluctuating hearing loss

The present study examined the effect of early-life otitis media and its associated fluctuating hearing loss on categorical speech perception in 7-year-old Dutch children. The middle ear status of these children had been followed prospectively in their first 2 years of life. Identification and discrimination of speech sounds differing in place of articulation were tested at school age and outcomes were significantly related to otitis media-related hearing loss. Results revealed that phoneme identification and discrimination were affected by early-life hearing loss. It is not otitis media per se, but rather the relative severity of hearing loss resulting from early-life otitis media which is related to poorer categorical speech perception abilities in school-age children.     

Audiologic and vestibular findings in a sample of human immunodeficiency virus type-1-infected Mexican children under highly active antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVE: There is little information about audiologic and vestibular disorders in pediatric patients infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV-1). The aim of this study was to evaluate audiologic and vestibular disorders in a sample of HIV-1-infected children receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. METHODS: Patients underwent pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination testing, auditory brainstem responses, electronystagmography, and rotatory testing. HIV-1 viral load and absolute CD4+ cell counts were registered. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included, aged 4.5 years (median, range 5 months to 16 years). Pure tone audiometry was carried out in 12 children over 4 years of age: 4 (33%) showed hearing loss, 2 were conductive. Auditory brainstem responses were measured in all 23 patients, suggesting conductive hearing loss in 6 and sensorineural hearing loss in 2. Most patients with conductive hearing loss had the antecedent of acute or chronic suppurative otitis media but with dry ears at the time of evaluation (p=0.003). Abnormal prolongations of interwave intervals in auditory brainstem responses were observed in 3 children (13%, 4 ears), an abnormal morphology in different components of auditory brainstem responses in 4 (17.4%, 7 ears), and abnormal amplitude patterns in 11 patients (48%, 17 ears). Vestibular tests were abnormal in all six patients tested, with asymmetries in caloric and rotatory tests. Although differences were not significant, in general, audiologic abnormalities were more frequent in patients with more prolonged HIV-1 infections, higher viral loads, or lower absolute CD4+ cell counts. CONCLUSIONS: Conductive hearing loss associated with previous otitis media events, abnormalities in auditory brainstem responses suggesting disorders at different levels of the auditory pathways, and unilateral vestibular hyporeflexia were frequent findings in our sample of HIV-1-infected children under Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. These findings suggest that HIV-1-infected children should be submitted to audiologic and vestibular evaluation as early as possible in order to reduce their impact on the psychosocial development of these patients.     

Acute coalescent mastoiditis and acoustic sequelae in an infant with severe congenital neutropenia.

We report a 2-month-old boy with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), who developed acute necrotizing otitis media and coalescent mastoiditis due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. The infection fulminantly progressed within a day to a subtotal perforation of the tympanic membrane, destructive bony changes of ossicles, lateral subperiosteal abscess, and suppurative labyrinthitis. Despite the combined treatment with intravenous antibiotics and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, the infection resulted in mixed hearing impairment. Much attention should be given to prompt diagnosis of otomastoiditis in SCN, a rare congenital disorder, since resultant acoustic sequelae may affect subsequent speech development and intellectual ability.     

Treatment of hyperacusis in Williams syndrome with bilateral conductive hearing loss

Williams syndrome (WS) is a rather rare congenital disorder characterised by a series of cardiovascular, maxillo-facial and skeletal abnormalities. It sometimes displays otorhinolaryngological symptoms because of the relatively high incidence of secretory otitis media and hyperacusis, which may be present in up to 95% of patients. The present paper describes a case of WS associated with bilateral conductive hearing loss which was not related to secretory otitis media. Hyperacusis was, moreover, present in spite of the conductive deafness. Surgical or prosthetic treatment of hearing loss was delayed because of hyperacusis. Treatment of the hyperacusis by acoustic training, instead, yielded excellent, long-lasting remission of the symptoms. Received: 14 July 2000 / Accepted: 12 April 2001     

Ten years’ experience with bone conduction hearing aids in the Western Cape,South Africa

Untreated conductive and mixed hearing losses as a result of middle ear pathology or congenital ear malformations can lead to poor speech, language and academic outcomes in children. Lack of access to centralised hearing healthcare in resource-constrained environments limits opportunities for children with hearing loss. Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) is one of only two dedicated paediatric hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2016 and 2021, 29 children received implanted bone conduction hearing devices, and 104 children were fitted with bone conduction devices on softbands. The authors’ experience at RCWMCH suggests that bone-anchored hearing devices, either fitted on softbands or on implanted abutments, can provide solutions in settings where patients have limited access to hearing healthcare and optimal classroom environments. Hearing healthcare should be accessible and delivered at the appropriate level of care to mitigate the adverse effects of hearing loss in children.ContributionThis article describes strategies employed at RCWMCH such as fitting bone conduction hearing devices on a softband immediately after hearing loss diagnosis and conducting follow-up via remote technology to make hearing healthcare more accessible to vulnerable populations.