Hearing Impairment in Children with History of Kernicterus and Crebral Palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Critical period of development of speech and language is early 3 yrs of life. Even a mild hearing impairment can interfere with speech and language development. Hearing impairment has the highest incidence rate for any pediatric disability, since several risk factors in infants with cerebral palsy(CP) are the same risk factors to develop hearing impairment. Thus, it should come as no surprise that hearing impairment occurs more frequently among children with cerebral palsy than in the general population. Recent studies have shown that up to 13% of children with cerebral palsy suffer from a hearing loss and important cause of auditory neuropathy. Aim of the study: To assess and analyze the audiological profile in children with cerebral palsy Materials and Methods: A prospective study was done on 67 children of 1 to 16 years of age of both genders who were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Tympanometry, otoacoustic emission, and auditory brain stem response hearing tests were employed to categorize the hearing impairment. Results: Hearing impairment was observed in right ear 67.2 % and left ear 64.2% in children with cerebral palsy. Profound sensorineural hearing loss in 25.4% in bilateral ear was observed. History of kernicterus was found in 17.9% children with cerebral palsy. Conclusions: Prevalence of hearing impairment in children with cerebral palsy is alarming. This warrants early identification and diagnosis of hearing impairment. This early identification may facilitate better development of speech and language as well as positive outcomes. Therefore audiological assessment should be incorporated into the diagnostic and therapeutic plan of all children with cerebral palsy