Paediatric ENT Conditions
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in children can vary widely in its causes, severity, and impact on development. Genetic conditions, infections during pregnancy (such as cytomegalovirus), premature birth, and complications at birth can contribute to congenital hearing loss. In other instances, acquired factors like chronic ear infections (otitis media), head trauma, exposure to loud noise, certain medications, and illnesses like meningitis can cause acquired hearing loss in children.
Hearing loss is of three types - Sensorineural Hearing Loss (damage to the inner ear or cochlea, or auditory nerve), Conductive Hearing Loss (interference with sound transmission in the outer or middle ear) and Mixed Hearing Loss (combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss).
One of the symptoms presented, is difficulty responding to sounds whereby infants may not startle at loud noises or respond to voices. Older children may have trouble speaking clearly or understanding speech. They may also have trouble academically or socially since hearing loss can affect learning, social interactions, and behaviour.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnostic Tests include audiological evaluations such as pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests to assess hearing sensitivity and function. A newborn hearing screening may be conducted shortly after birth to identify hearing loss early.
Treatment options include hearing aids and cochlear implants not including medical management, like remedying underlying conditions like infections or ear canal abnormalities; and educational support. Hearing aids help amplify sounds to improve hearing while cochlear devices that are surgically implanted, bypass damaged parts of the ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. Extra support could mean specialised educational programs, speech therapy, and assistive technologies to support
