Variants in Genes Associated with Hearing Loss in Children: Prevalence in a Large Canadian Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of genetic variants associated with hearing loss in a large cohort of children in Canada using high throughput next generation sequencing (NGS). METHODS: A total of 485 children with hearing loss underwent NGS testing with an 80 gene panel of syndromic and non-syndromic variants known to be associated with hearing loss. Genetic variants were classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, likely benign, benign, or variants of uncertain significance (VUS), according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. RESULTS: Across the 80 genes tested, 923 variants, predominantly in 28 genes, were identified in 324 children. Pathogenic variants occurred in 19/80 (23.8%) of the hearing loss related genes tested and confirmed the etiology of hearing loss in 73/485 (15.1%) of children. GJB2 was the most prevalent gene, affecting 28/73 (38.4%) children with confirmed genetic hearing loss in our cohort. Most identified variants (748/923, 81.0%, in 76/80 genes) were of uncertain significance. CONCLUSION: Genetic testing using NGS identified the etiology in approximately 15% of childhood hearing loss in a Canadian cohort which is lower than what is typically reported. GJB2 was the most common genetic cause of hearing loss. VUS are commonly identified, presenting clinical challenges for counseling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Head and Eye Movements Reveal Compensatory Strategies for Acute Binaural Deficits During Sound Localization.

The present study aimed to define use of head and eye movements during sound localization in children and adults to: (1) assess effects of stationary versus moving sound and (2) define effects of binaural cues degraded through acute monaural ear plugging. Thirty-three youth (MAge = 12.9 years) and seventeen adults (MAge = 24.6 years) with typical hearing were recruited and asked to localize white noise anywhere within a horizontal arc from -60° (left) to +60° (right) azimuth in two conditions (typical binaural and right ear plugged). In each trial, sound was presented at an initial stationary position (L1) and then while moving at ∼4°/s until reaching a second position (L2). Sound moved in five conditions (±40°, ±20°, or 0°). Participants adjusted a laser pointer to indicate L1 and L2 positions. Unrestricted head and eye movements were collected with gyroscopic sensors on the head and eye-tracking glasses, respectively. Results confirmed that accurate sound localization of both stationary and moving sound is disrupted by acute monaural ear plugging. Eye movements preceded head movements for sound localization in normal binaural listening and head movements were larger than eye movements during monaural plugging. Head movements favored the unplugged left ear when stationary sounds were presented in the right hemifield and during sound motion in both hemifields regardless of the movement direction. Disrupted binaural cues have greater effects on localization of moving than stationary sound. Head movements reveal preferential use of the better-hearing ear and relatively stable eye positions likely reflect normal vestibular-ocular reflexes.

Effects of the BalanCI on Working Memory and Balance in Children and Young Adults With Cochleovestibular Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to: (1) determine the interaction between cognitive load and balance in children and young adults with bilateral cochleovestibular dysfunction who use bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) and (2) determine the effect of an auditory balance prosthesis (the BalanCI) on this interaction. Many (20 to 70%) children with sensorineural hearing loss experience some degree of vestibular loss, leading to poorer balance. Poor balance could have effects on cognitive resource allocation which might be alleviated by the BalanCI as it translates head-referenced cues into electrical pulses delivered through the CI. It is hypothesized that children and young adults with cochleovestibular dysfunction will demonstrate greater dual-task costs than typically-developing children during dual balance-cognition tasks, and that BalanCI use will improve performance on these tasks. DESIGN: Study participants were 15 typically-developing children (control group: mean age ± SD = 13.6 ± 2.75 years, 6 females) and 10 children and young adults who use bilateral CIs and have vestibular dysfunction (CI-V group: mean age ± SD=20.6 ± 5.36 years, 7 females). Participants completed two working memory tasks (backward auditory verbal digit span task and backward visuospatial dot matrix task) during three balance conditions: seated, standing in tandem stance with the BalanCI off, and standing in tandem stance with the BalanCI on. Working memory performance was quantified as total number of correct trials achieved. Postural stability was quantified as translational and rotational path length of motion capture markers worn on the head, upper body, pelvis, and feet, normalized by trial time. RESULTS: Relative to the control group, children and young adults in the CI-V group exhibited poorer overall working memory across all balance conditions ( p = 0.03), poorer translational postural stability (larger translational path length) during both verbal and visuospatial working memory tasks ( p < 0.001), and poorer rotational stability (larger rotational path length) during the verbal working memory task ( p = 0.026). The CI-V group also exhibited poorer translational ( p = 0.004) and rotational ( p < 0.001) postural stability during the backward verbal digit span task than backward visuospatial dot matrix task; BalanCI use reduced this stability difference between verbal and visuospatial working memory tasks for translational stability overall ( p > 0.9), as well as for rotational stability during the maximum working memory span (highest load) participants achieved in each task ( p = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Balance and working memory were impaired in the CI-V group compared with the control group. The BalanCI offered subtle improvements in stability in the CI-V group during a backward verbal working memory task, without producing a negative effect on working memory outcomes. This study supports the feasibility of the BalanCI as a balance prosthesis for individuals with cochleovestibular impairments.

Importance of early objective auditory testing in the presentation of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children.

BACKGROUND: Functional hearing loss can be due to an auditory manifestation of functional neurological disorder, previously known as conversion disorder. METHODS: This is a case series of 3 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic SSNHL who ultimately were found to have functional neurological disorder. RESULTS: Average age was 12.7 years at presentation (range 10-14 years). All three patients underwent invasive interventions prior to their initial clinic visit. All patients demonstrated profound SNHL on behavioural audiogram, but normal otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brainstem response testing. With counselling, both patients demonstrated significant hearing improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of OAE's in the workup of SSNHL can avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful therapies and expedite access to counselling services which may help lead to symptom resolution.

Exposure to Spoken Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Children With Cochlear Implants.

Importance: School closures and other COVID-19-related restrictions could decrease children's exposure to speech during important stages of development. Objective: To assess whether significant decreases in exposure to spoken communication found during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic among children using cochlear implants are confirmed for a larger cohort of children and were sustained over the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used datalogs collected from children with cochlear implants during clinical visits to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from January 1, 2018, to November 11, 2021. Children with severe to profound hearing loss using cochlear implants were studied because their devices monitored and cataloged levels and types of sounds during hourly use per day (datalogs) and because their hearing and spoken language development was particularly vulnerable to reduced sound exposure. Statistical analyses were conducted between January 2022 and August 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Daily hours of sound were captured by the cochlear implant datalogging system and categorized into 6 auditory scene categories, including speech and speech-in-noise. Time exposed to speech was calculated as the sum of daily hours in speech and daily hours in speech-in-noise. Residual hearing in the ear without an implant of children with unilateral cochlear implants was measured by pure tone audiometry. Mixed-model regression analyses revealed main effects with post hoc adjustment of 95% CIs using the Satterthwaite method. Results: Datalogs (n = 2746) from 262 children (137 with simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants [74 boys (54.0%); mean (SD) age, 5.8 (3.5 years)], 38 with sequential bilateral cochlear implants [24 boys (63.2%); mean (SD) age, 9.1 (4.2) years], and 87 with unilateral cochlear implants [40 boys (46.0%); mean (SD) age, 7.9 (4.6) years]) who were preschool aged (n = 103) and school aged (n = 159) before the COVID-19 pandemic were included in analyses. There was a slight increase in use among preschool-aged bilateral cochlear implant users through the pandemic (early pandemic, 1.4 h/d [95% CI, 0.3-2.5 h/d]; late pandemic, 2.3 h/d [95% CI, 0.6-4.0 h/d]) and little change in use among school-aged bilateral cochlear implant users (early pandemic, -0.6 h/d [95% CI, -1.1 to -0.05 h/d]; late pandemic, -0.3 h/d [95% CI, -0.9 to 0.4 h/d]). However, use decreased during the late pandemic period among school-aged children with unilateral cochlear implants (-1.8 h/d [95% CI,-3.0 to -0.6 h/d]), particularly among children with good residual hearing in the ear without an implant. Prior to the pandemic, children were exposed to speech for approximately 50% of the time they used their cochlear implants (preschool-aged children: bilateral cochlear implants, 46.6% [95% CI, 46.5%-47.2%] and unilateral cochlear implants, 52.1% [95% CI, 50.7%-53.5%]; school-aged children: bilateral cochlear implants, 47.6% [95% CI, 46.8%-48.4%] and unilateral cochlear implants, 51.0% [95% CI, 49.4%-52.6%]). School-aged children in both groups experienced significantly decreased speech exposure in the early pandemic period (bilateral cochlear implants, -12.1% [-14.6% to -9.4%]; unilateral cochlear implants, -15.5% [-20.4% to -10.7%]) and late pandemic periods (bilateral cochlear implants, -5.3% [-8.0% to -2.6%]; unilateral cochlear implants, -11.2% [-15.3% to -7.1%]) compared with the prepandemic baseline. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study using datalogs from children using cochlear implants suggests that a sustained reduction in children's access to spoken communication was found during more than 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns and school closures.

Evaluating the use of a balance prosthesis during balance perturbations in children and young adults with cochleovestibular dysfunction.

Study objectives were to: (1) quantify stability in children and young adults using cochlear implants with concurrent cochleovestibular dysfunction (CI-V) during balance perturbations and (2) to assess effects of an auditory head-referencing device (BalanCI) on their stability. The BalanCI provides auditory feedback via cochlear implants to cue posture and potentially avoid falling in children with CI-V. It was hypothesized that children and young adults with CI-V respond with larger movements to floor perturbations than typically-developing peers (controls) and that BalanCI use decreases these movements. Motion in response to treadmill perturbations was captured by markers on the head, torso, and feet in eight CI-V and 15 control participants. Stability (area under the curve of motion displacement) and peak displacement latencies were measured. The CI-V group demonstrated less stability and slower responses than the control group during medium and large backwards perturbations (p's < 0.01). In the CI-V group, BalanCI use improved stability during large backwards perturbations (p < 0.001), but worsened stability during large sideways perturbations (p's < 0.001). Children and young adults with CI-V move more to remain upright during perturbations than typically-developing peers. The BalanCI has potential to aid physical/vestibular therapy in children with CIs who have poor balance.

Olfaction and Gustation in Children With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Objective: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder whereby abnormal cilia cause a wide array of respiratory tract manifestations including chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether olfaction and gustation are impaired in children with PCD. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary pediatric academic hospital. Methods: Children with confirmed PCD based on having at least 1 of 3 approved diagnostic criteria as per The American Thoracic Society guidelines were recruited from The PCD Clinic in our tertiary care pediatric hospital. Odor identification ability was tested using the Universal Sniff (U-Sniff) test and taste threshold was measured using an electrogustometer. The main outcome of this study is to determine the incidence of olfactory dysfunction in children with PCD and investigate if there is an associated gustatory dysfunction. Results: Twenty-five children participated (14 male, 11 female), The median age was 10.8 years (range: 4.1-17.9 years). Only 4/25 (16%) complained of olfactory dysfunction prior to testing. None of the patients complained of dysgeusia. However, 48% (12/25) scored less than 7 on the U-Sniff, signifying hyposmia or anosmia. In contrast, scores obtained by electrogustometry were in the normal range. There was no correlation between performance on the U-Sniff and electrogustometry testing. Conclusion: Olfactory impairment in children with PCD is common but underrecognized by patients. This is not associated with abnormal gustation. Among other, this places children with PCD at an increased risk with respect to smelling a fire or detecting spoiled or poisonous food.

Effects of Age at Implantation on Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Short Durations of Single-Sided Deafness.

OBJECTIVE: Children with single-sided deafness (SSD) show reduced language and academic development and report hearing challenges. We aim to improve outcomes in children with SSD by providing bilateral hearing through cochlear implantation of the deaf ear with minimal delay. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 57 children with SSD provided with cochlear implant (CI) between May 13, 2013, and June 25, 2021. SETTING: Tertiary children's hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Children with early onset (n = 40) or later onset of SSD (n = 17) received CIs at ages 2.47 ± 1.58 years (early onset group) and 11.67 ± 3.91 years (late onset group) (mean ± SD). Duration of unilateral deafness was limited (mean ± SD = 1.93 ± 1.56 yr). INTERVENTION: Cochlear implantation of the deaf ear. MAIN OUTCOMES/MEASURES: Evaluations of device use (data logging) and hearing (speech perception, effects of spatial release from masking on speech detection, localization of stationary and moving sound, self-reported hearing questionnaires). RESULTS: Results indicated that daily device use is variable (mean ± SD = 5.60 ± 2.97, range = 0.0-14.7 h/d) with particular challenges during extended COVID-19 lockdowns, including school closures (daily use reduced by mean 1.73 h). Speech perception with the CI alone improved (mean ± SD = 65.7 ± 26.4 RAU) but, in the late onset group, remained poorer than in the normal hearing ear. Measures of spatial release from masking also showed asymmetric hearing in the late onset group ( t13 = 5.14, p = 0.001). Localization of both stationary and moving sound was poor (mean ± SD error = 34.6° ± 16.7°) but slightly improved on the deaf side with CI use ( F1,36 = 3.95, p = 0.05). Decreased sound localization significantly correlated with poorer self-reported hearing. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Benefits of CI in children with limited durations of SSD may be more restricted for older children/adolescents. Spatial hearing challenges remain. Efforts to increase CI acceptance and consistent use are needed.

Longitudinal Effects of Simultaneous and Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation on Cortical Auditory-Evoked Potentials Recorded at Cz in a Large Cohort of Children.

OBJECTIVES: Auditory development after bilateral cochlear implantation in children has been measured using source localization of multi-channel late latency responses. It is not clear, however, whether this development can be tracked using a more clinically feasible method of recording from one active recording electrode placed at mid-line center of the head (Cz). DESIGN: In this prospective cohort study, cortical auditory-evoked potential responses (CAEPs) were recorded from Cz referenced to each earlobe (Cz-CAEP) from 222 children with bilateral cochlear implant (CI); 128 (mean ± SD age: 2.78 ± 3.30 years) received both CIs in the same surgery (simultaneous group) and 94 (aged 7.72 ± 4.45 years) received a second CI after 4.21 ± 2.98 years of unilateral CI use. We sought to (1) identify cortical development over the first couple of years of bilateral CI use; (2) measure known asymmetries in auditory development between the CIs; and (3) detect the effects of bilateral rather than unilateral CI use. 4556 Cz-CAEPs were recorded across the cohort over 33.50 ± 7.67 months duration of bilateral CI use. Given concerns related to peak picking, amplitude areas were measured across two response time windows (50 to 199 ms and 200 to 400 ms). RESULTS: Results indicated that small response amplitudes occur at initial CI use and amplitudes increase in the negative or positive direction rapidly over the first months of CI use in both time windows. Asymmetries between Cz-CAEPs evoked by each CI were found in the sequential group and reduced with bilateral CI use, particularly in the first time window; these differences increased with longer inter-implant delay. Bilaterally evoked Cz-CAEPs were larger in amplitude than unilateral responses from either CI in the simultaneous group. In the sequential group, bilateral responses were similar to responses from the first implanted side but increased in relative amplitude with bilateral CI use. The Cz-CAEP measures were not able to predict asymmetries or bilateral benefits in speech perception measures. CONCLUSIONS: The Cz-CAEP was able to indicate cortical detection of CI input and showed gross morphological changes with bilateral CI use. Findings indicate Cz-CAEPs can be used to identify gross changes in auditory development in children with bilateral CIs, but they are less sensitive to tracking the remaining abnormalities that are measured by multi-channel CAEPs and speech perception testing.

Endoscopic Repair of Round Window Cochleocele.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the novel presentation, implications, and endoscopic management of a congenital round window cochleocele. PATIENT: A 16-month old girl with profound hearing loss from bilateral incomplete partition type 1 (IP1) anomaly of the cochlea plus left-sided cochlear nerve aplasia and cochleocele. INTERVENTION: Anomalies were identified with computed tomographic scanning and magnetic resonance imaging during cochlear implant candidacy assessment. While under general anesthesia for right-sided cochlear implantation, the cochleocele was removed and packed with temporalis fascia using transcanal endoscopic ear surgery. The endoscope was held by an assistant while the surgeon packed the round window using a two-handed technique to counter the gush of cerebrospinal fluid. RESULTS: The child made an uneventful recovery with no cerebrospinal fluid leak or meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: Cochleocele can protrude through the round window of a cochlea with incomplete partition type 1 anomaly. An increased risk of meningitis secondary to acute otitis media is expected given the known risk from cochleocele arising through a stapes footplate fistula. Care should be taken to check for the presence of a cochleocele in hearing loss from congenital malformations involving the basal turn of the cochlea on imaging and also at the time of cochlear implant surgery. Repair should be considered at the first opportunity to prevent meningitis. If early cochlear implant surgery is not feasible or appropriate (as, for example, with cochlear nerve aplasia), transcanal endoscopic ear surgery provides good access for a low-morbidity approach.

Button battery taping prevents oesophageal injury.

AIM: Most button battery (BB) ingestions in children are unwitnessed leading to prolonged exposures and severe complications. One third of ingestions occur from free BB, that are stored or awaiting disposal. Recommendations have been made to cover the terminals of discarded BB with adhesive tape; however, it is unclear if this practice prevents injury. Our aim was to determine if tape could prevent oesophageal injury in a cadaveric porcine model. METHODS: Electrical, masking, packing and duct tape were compared. One BB was left untaped. Taped BBs were placed in a cadaveric porcine oesophagus controlled for temperature and humidification. Specimens were assessed at 0, 0.5, and hourly for 6 h by visual inspection, temperature and pH. BB voltage was measured before and after testing. All tests were repeated in triplicate. RESULTS: Oesophageal specimens demonstrated burn prevention in the packing and duct tape trials. Burns were seen in 2/3 trials with electrical tape and 3/3 trials with masking tape. pH remained neutral throughout the study for all packing and duct tape specimens. pH remained neutral initially for masking tape but increased rapidly to 12 by 2 h. There was no change in battery voltage for the packing tape and duct tape trials. There was a 16.3% reduction in voltage for masking tape which was similar to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Taping BB with packing tape and duct tape prevented oesophageal burns. This may provide a novel method of burn prevention for loose BB intended for disposal.

Cortical imbalance following delayed restoration of bilateral hearing in deaf adolescents.

Unilateral auditory deprivation in early childhood can lead to cortical strengthening of inputs from the stimulated side, yet the impact of this on bilateral processing when inputs are later restored beyond an early sensitive period is unknown. To address this, we conducted a longitudinal study with 13 bilaterally profoundly deaf adolescents who received unilateral access to sound via a cochlear implant (CI) in their right ear in early childhood before receiving bilateral access to sound a decade later via a second CI in their left ear. Auditory-evoked cortical responses to unilateral and bilateral stimulation were measured repeatedly using electroencephalogram from 1 week to 14 months after activation of their second CI. Early cortical responses from the newly implanted ear and bilateral stimulation were atypically lateralized to the left ipsilateral auditory cortex. Duration of unilateral deafness predicted an unexpectedly stronger representation of inputs from the newly implanted, compared to the first implanted ear, in left auditory cortex. Significant initial reductions in responses were observed, yet a left-hemisphere bias and unequal weighting of inputs favoring the long-term deaf ear did not converge to a balanced state observed in the binaurally developed system. Bilateral response enhancement was significantly reduced in left auditory cortex suggesting deficits in ipsilateral response inhibition of new, dominant, inputs during bilateral processing. These findings paradoxically demonstrate the adaptive capacity of the adolescent auditory system beyond an early sensitive period for bilateral input, as well as restrictions on its potential to fully reverse cortical imbalances driven by long-term unilateral deafness.

Hearing Instability in Children with Congenital Cytomegalovirus: Evidence and Neural Consequences.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common sequela of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), potentially exacerbating neurocognitive delay. The objectives of this study were to assess: (1) age at which SNHL in children with cCMV; (2) stimulability of the auditory system in children with cCMV following cochlear implantation (CI); and (3) whether features of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially are predictive of hearing outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective study of a prospectively acquired cohort, 123 children with cCMV who were referred for hearing loss at a single tertiary referral hospital over 20 years were compared with an unmatched comparative group of 90 children with GJB2-related deafness. Outcome measures were results of newborn hearing screening (NHS), behavioral audiograms, and, in a subgroup of cochlear implant (CI) users, responses from the auditory nerve and brainstem evoked by CI at initial activation, as well as lesional volume of FLAIR-hyperintense signal alterations on MRI. RESULTS: All but 3 of 123 children with cCMV had confirmed and persistent SNHL. At birth, 113 children with cCMV underwent NHS, 31 (27%) passed in both ears and 23 (20%) passed in one ear (no NHS data in 10 children). At the first audiologic assessment, 32 of 123 (26%) had normal hearing bilaterally; 35 of 123 (28%) had unilateral SNHL; and 57 of 123 (46%) had bilateral SNHL. More than half (67 of 123, 54%) experienced hearing deterioration in at least one ear. Survival analyses suggested that 60% of children who developed SNHL did so by 2.5 years and 80% by 5 years. In the children who passed NHS in one or both ears, 50% developed hearing loss by 3.5 years in the ear, which passed unilaterally (n = 23 ears), and 50% by 5 years in bilateral passes (n = 62 ears). Hearing loss was significant enough in all but one child with isolated high-frequency loss for rehabilitation to be indicated. Hearing thresholds in individual ears were in the CI range in 83% (102 of 123), although duration of deafness was sufficient to preclude implantation at our center in 13 children with unilateral SNHL. Hearing aids were indicated in 16% (20 of 123). Responses from the auditory nerve and brainstem to initial CI stimulation were similar in children with cCMV-related SNHL compared with GJB2-related SNHL. Characteristic white matter changes on MRI were seen in all children with cCMV-related SNHL (n = 91), but the lesion volume in each cortical hemisphere did not predict degree of SNHL. CONCLUSIONS: cCMV-related SNHL is often not detected by NHS but occurs with high prevalence in early childhood. Electrophysiological measures suggest equivalent stimulability of the auditory nerve and brainstem with CI in children with cCMV and GJB2-related SNHL. Hyperintense white matter lesions on FLAIR MRI are consistently present in children with cCMV-related SNHL but cannot be used to predict its time course or degree. Combined, the data show early and rapid deterioration of hearing in children with cCMV-related SNHL with potential for good CI outcomes if SNHL is identified and managed without delay. Findings support universal newborn screening for cCMV followed by careful audiological monitoring. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:S1-S24, 2022.

Further delineation of auriculocondylar syndrome based on 14 novel cases and reassessment of 25 published cases.

Auriculocondylar syndrome (ACS) is a rare craniofacial disorder characterized by mandibular hypoplasia and an auricular defect at the junction between the lobe and helix, known as a "Question Mark Ear" (QME). Several additional features, originating from the first and second branchial arches and other tissues, have also been reported. ACS is genetically heterogeneous with autosomal dominant and recessive modes of inheritance. The mutations identified to date are presumed to dysregulate the endothelin 1 signaling pathway. Here we describe 14 novel cases and reassess 25 published cases of ACS through a questionnaire for systematic data collection. All patients harbor mutation(s) in PLCB4, GNAI3, or EDN1. This series of patients contributes to the characterization of additional features occasionally associated with ACS such as respiratory, costal, neurodevelopmental, and genital anomalies, and provides management and monitoring recommendations.

Vestibular and Balance Impairment Is Common in Children With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

OBJECTIVE: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder that presents with a wide range of respiratory complaints. The most common otologic associated disorder is middle ear effusion. We ask if children with PCD suffer from vestibular impairment. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric referral hospital. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Children with confirmed PCD. INTERVENTION/METHODS: All included participants were clinically assessed to be at baseline then basic demographics and medical histories were collected, including the specific genetic mutation these patients have. After which, all patients underwent two vestibular tests. The first was to assess their ability to stand on one foot with their eyes open and then with their eyes closed and the second was video head impulse test (vHIT). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ability standing on one foot with the eyes closed and vHIT. RESULTS: During this period, 25 children with PCD were recruited for the study. The mean age at recruitment was 11.26 years (4-18 yr). There were 11 women and 14 men. All patients were able to participate in both tests. Nineteen participants (76%) had vestibular impairment. Fifteen of them failed to stand on one foot with their eyes closed and six of 25 had abnormal vHIT. The most common involved gene was DNAH5 8/25 (32%) and it was associated with vestibular impairment in seven of eight participants (87.5%). CONCLUSION: The majority of children with PCD that we tested suffered from vestibular impairment that was previously undiagnosed. This potentially indicates that imbalance and vestibular pathology is under-diagnosed in children with PCD.

First Generation Osseointegrated Steady State Implant Benefits in Children With Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes of a new Osseointegrated Steady State Implant (OSSI) for bone conduction in adolescents. METHOD: In an initial trial, 14 adolescents (14.5 years of age, SD = 2.22) were provided with an OSSI; unilateral OSSI (n = 13), bilateral OSSI in sequential surgeries (n = 1). Outcomes measured were surgical duration, complications, hearing thresholds, speech perception and self-reported hearing benefits using the Speech and Spatial Quality of Hearing Questionnaire. RESULTS: The surgical times were mean 93.6 minutes (SD = 33.3). Surgery was slightly longer in three adolescents who required skin flap reduction (n = 1) or significant bone polishing (n = 2) (121.33 minutes, SD = 8.14). Adverse events occurred in two adolescents post-implant poor external device retention in one child requiring revision flap reduction and inflammation at the incision site due to magnet overuse in another. The "Digital Link Calibration" measure was a good proxy predictor of the strength of magnet required for external device adherence (p = 0.002). The OSSI increased audibility in the implanted ear by mean 31.48 dB HL (SE = 1.58). Aided thresholds were best at 1 kHz (mean 25.33 dB HL, SD = 22.60) and only slightly poorer at 3000 and 4000 Hz (estimate decrease = 8.33 dB HL, SE = 3.54), reflecting good auditory sensitivity even at high frequencies. Speech perception when using the new device alone was good (89.67%, SD = 7.84%) and self-reported hearing by participants and parents improved in all domains assessed by the Speech and Spatial Quality of Hearing Questionnaire (estimate = 1.90 points, SE = 0.25, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The OSSI provides hearing benefits with surgical safety in a carefully selected cohort of adolescents.

The Importance of Access to Bilateral Hearing through Cochlear Implants in Children.

Children with hearing loss require early access to sound in both ears to support their development. In this article, we describe barriers to providing bilateral hearing and developmental consequences of delays during early sensitive periods. Barriers include late identification of hearing loss in one or both ears and delayed access to intervention with hearing devices such as cochlear implants. Effects of delayed bilateral input on the auditory pathways and brain are discussed as well as behavioral effects on speech perception and other developmental outcomes including language and academics. Evidence for these effects has supported an evolution in cochlear implant candidacy in children that was started with unilateral implantation in children with profound deafness bilaterally to bilateral implantation to implantation of children with asymmetric hearing loss including children with single-side deafness. Opportunities to enhance the developmental benefits of bilateral hearing in children with hearing loss are also discussed including efforts to improve binaural/spatial hearing and consideration of concurrent vestibular deficits which are common in children with hearing loss.

Functional Consequences of Poor Binaural Hearing in Development: Evidence From Children With Unilateral Hearing Loss and Children Receiving Bilateral Cochlear Implants.

Poor binaural hearing in children was hypothesized to contribute to related cognitive and academic deficits. Children with unilateral hearing have normal hearing in one ear but no access to binaural cues. Their cognitive and academic deficits could be unique from children receiving bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) at young ages who have poor access to spectral cues and impaired binaural sensitivity. Both groups are at risk for vestibular/balance deficits which could further contribute to memory and learning challenges. Eighty-eight children (43 male:45 female, aged 9.89 ± 3.40 years), grouped by unilateral hearing loss (n = 20), bilateral CI (n = 32), and typically developing (n = 36), completed a battery of sensory, cognitive, and academic tests. Analyses revealed that children in both hearing loss groups had significantly poorer skills (accounting for age) on most tests than their normal hearing peers. Children with unilateral hearing loss had more asymmetric speech perception than children with bilateral CIs (p < .0001) but balance and language deficits (p = .0004, p < .0001, respectively) were similar in the two hearing loss groups (p > .05). Visuospatial memory deficits occurred in both hearing loss groups (p = .02) but more consistently across tests in children with unilateral hearing loss. Verbal memory was not significantly different than normal (p > .05). Principal component analyses revealed deficits in a main cluster of visuospatial memory, oral language, mathematics, and reading measures (explaining 46.8% data variability). The remaining components revealed clusters of self-reported hearing, balance and vestibular function, and speech perception deficits. The findings indicate significant developmental impacts of poor binaural hearing in children.