Pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss: diagnosed causes and response to intervention

Abstract

Objective: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an underappreciated issue in pediatric patient care. The goal of this study was to identify children who met the criteria for SSNHL and examine the etiologies, useful diagnostic studies, and treatment outcomes for these patients.

Methods: A retrospective medical records review was performed in patients meeting the criteria for SSNHL seen at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from 2007 to 2012. Information collected included age, gender, audiometric evaluations, onset and duration of hearing loss, additional symptoms, diagnostic studies and response to any medical management. The Institutional Review Board approved this project.

Results: 12/20 patients were male. Mean age was 11.41 years (3 months-24 years). Hearing loss was bilateral in 9/20 patients. Degree of hearing loss ranged from mild to profound across frequencies. Probable etiologies were viral of unknown type (n = 12), late presentation of congenital CMV (n = 1), noise-related (n = 1), non organic (n = 1), enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) (n = 1), one with both acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and significant ototoxic exposure (n = 1), one had significant ototoxic exposure and an inflammatory cerebrovascular incident (n = 1), and unknown (n = 2). Diagnostic studies included temporal bone computed tomography (CT) (n = 15) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n = 15), Lyme titers (n = 9), streptococcal throat culture (n = 1) and EBV (n = 1) and mumps titers (n = 1). Positive diagnostic studies included 1 MRI consistent with congenital CMV, and one CT that showed an EVA . 15/20 patients received systemic steroids, 3 received antivirals, and 4 got antibiotics. Response to steroids varied from complete resolution of SSNHL to worsening. Symptoms reported, in addition to the hearing loss included tinnitus (n = 9), vertigo (n = 9), sensation of a blocked ear (n = 6), and otalgia (n = 4).

Conclusions: The incidence of SSNHL in pediatric patients is unknown. Etiologies of SSNHL include viral, EVA, ototoxicity, noise, and non-organic. Most studies were non-diagnostic although 2/22 CT/MRI provided an etiology. Identification of other causes required careful history review. The incidence of SSNHL in the pediatric population needs to be studied, and the timing, dosage, route and efficacy of steroids further evaluated.