title: Acquired Hearing Loss in Children.
abstract: Hearing loss is the most common congenital sensory impairment. According to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2001 to 2008, 20.3% of subjects aged greater than or equal to 12 had unilateral or bilateral hearing loss. The World Health Organization notes that, worldwide, there are 360 million people with disabling hearing loss, with 50% preventable. Although many hearing losses are acquired, many others are manifestations of preexisting conditions. The purpose of a pediatric hearing evaluation is to identify the degree and type of hearing loss and etiology and to outline a comprehensive strategy that supports language and social development and communication.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, BCH3129, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: Margaret.kenna@childrens.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Margaret A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kenna
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D007758:Ear, Inner / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000002:abnormalities*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000150:complications; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D012409:Rubella / Q000150:complications; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000150:complications
keywords: Cytomegalovirus (CMV); Enlarged vestibular aqueduct; Meningitis; Noise; Rubella; Sudden sensorineural hearing loss; Syphilis; Toxoplasmosis