Asymmetric and Unilateral Hearing Loss in Children: Risk factors, Etiology and Diagnosis

Joana Raquel Costa, Miguel Bebiano Coutinho, Teresa Soares, Cecília Almeida e Sousa

Resumen

Introduction

Unilateral and asymmetric hearing loss have historically been underappreciated. The aim of this study was to describe the risk factors, etiology and detection of asymmetric and unilateral hearing loss in children, widely described in the literature for bilateral deafness, but rarely reported in these particular situations.

Methods

This is a retrospective study that included all children with asymmetric and unilateral hearing loss diagnosed or referred to the department of otorhinolaryngology and cervical facial surgery of Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, between January 2013 and December 2018.

Results

Forty-six children with Asymmetric or Unilateral Hearing Loss were included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 4.6 years old. Twenty-nine (63%) had done neonatal hearing screening. We found 29 cases of SNHL and 17 cases of CHL. About half of the patients present moderate deafness and 21.1% profound deafness. Thirty-four (73.9%) patients had hearing loss risk factors. Imaging was performed in 26/46 children. Thirteen patients had abnormal imaging tests.

Conclusions

Unilateral sensorineural hearing loss is a frequent cause of hearing loss and, in most cases, profound hearing loss. Etiologies linked to unilateral sensorineural hearing loss appear to be different from those related to bilateral hearing loss.

Causes of unilateral hearing loss, such as CMV and syndromes, may have a negative developmental impact and should be taken in account when evaluating children with unilateral and asymmetric hearing loss. 

MRI is the gold standard imaging and CMV screening is recommended.

Palabras clave

Unilateral hearing loss; asymmetric hearing loss; binaural hearing; children; speech; development

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Referencias

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