Exploring Cochlear and Vestibular Abnormalities in Children with Hearing Impairment; a Tertiary Care Experience: Exploring Cochlear and Vestibular Abnormalities in Children with Hearing Impairment

Madeeha Akram Javed; Ayesha Farid; Anam Ali; Abid Ali Qureshi; Imran Saeed; Warda Aziz

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v7i1.3585

Authors

Madeeha Akram Javed Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Ayesha Farid Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Anam Ali Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, The Children’s Hospital, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Abid Ali Qureshi Department of Pediatric Radiology, The Children’s Hospital, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Imran Saeed Department of Pediatric ENT, The Children’s Hospital, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Warda Aziz Department of Audiology, The Children’s Hospital, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v7i1.3585

Keywords:

Anatomical Defects, Cochlear Implant, Hearing Impairment, Inner Ear Malformations

Abstract

Inner ear malformations have a great impact on hearing. Diagnosing them accurately through advanced imaging modalities can help plan management strategies. Objectives: To determine anatomical defects of inner ear malformations in children requiring hearing aids and cochlear implants coming to the tertiary care hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used with a sample of 104 hearing-impaired children, aged 1 to 14 years, who had moderate to profound hearing loss, collected through a purposive sampling technique. Demographic information was collected through a specially designed questionnaire, which included age, gender, developmental delay, etc. were also assessed. Results: 7 (6.7%; 95% CI (0.019, 0.115)) cases had anatomical defects of the inner ear, including the temporal bone. Among 7 cases, all had bilateral cochlear hypoplasia CH-III, semicircular canal malformations, 3 (42.9%) bilateral hypoplasia, 3 (42.9%) bilateral dysplasia, 1 (14.4%) had bilateral aplasia of anterior and lateral semicircular canals, 3 (42.9%) bilateral dilated vestibule, and 1 (14.3%) narrowing of the internal auditory canal left side. In these 7 cases, 5 (71.4%) with profound degree hearing loss were candidates for cochlear implant and 2 (28.6%) with severe degree hearing loss were using hearing aids. Results of chi-square showed that age at the time of diagnosis (p<0.05), family history of hearing impairment (p<0.001), and severity of hearing loss (p<0.001) had a significant association with the type of hearing impairment. Conclusions: The frequency of inner ear malformations in hearing-impaired children using hearing aids or candidates for cochlear implant was 6.7%. The most common malformations were CH-III and semicircular canal malformations.

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