Pediatric Hearing Loss

The first three years of a child's life are the most important when it comes to language development. Every child born in America gets a hearing screen. Your child may require more testing. Fluid behind the ear drum (in the middle ear) can cause a temporary hearing loss, which if left untreated, can lead to speech difficulties. Your child may require ear tubes or hearing aids. Tejas Ear, Nose and Throat, P.A. has a full service audiology department and offers the latest in hearing aid technology and fitting. Finding the right hearing aid is all about getting a custom fit and finding a reputable, service oriented institution from which to purchase.

There are three types of hearing loss: Conductive, Sensorineural and Mixed.

Conductive Hearing Loss is hearing loss caused by the inability to transmit sound and can be caused by:

• Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)
• Cholesteatoma
• Perforated ear drum trauma
• Abnormal development of the middle ear structures (incus, malleus and stapes)
• Otosclerosis (cementing of stapes)
• Canal Atresia (small or non-existent ear canal)

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) is nerve loss, is permanent, and can be caused by:

• An abnormally formed inner ear (mondini deformity, Enlarged Vestibular Aqueducts)
• Nerve loss secondary to meningitis
• Sudden Sensorineural hearing Loss (SSNHL) - virus causes
• Due to surgery

The ear connects to the nose and after a thorough evaluation of the ear, nose and throat, we will be able to differentiate between the three types of hearing loss and make recommendations accordingly. An MRI of the brain may be required if hearing loss is associated with dizziness, or if one side is worse than the other.

Possible Testing

• Audiogram
• Tympanogram
• Otoacoustic emissions (OAE)
• Auditory Evoked Brainstem Response (ABR/BAER)
• MRI brain and Cerebellopontine Angle
• Computed tomography (CT) scan of the temporal bone

Possible Treatments

• Tympanostomy (Tubes)
• Pressure Equalization Tubes (PETs)
• Paper patch
• Fat plug Myringoplasty
• Tympanoplasty (Ear drum repair)
• Mastoidectomy (Mastoid and ear drum repair)
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Stapedectomy
• Hearing Aids (refer to Audiology Services)

Fact Sheets

• Infant Hearing Loss
• The Necessity of Early Intervention in Hearing to Optimize Hearing Health
• Your Genes and Hearing Loss
• Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Children
• Cochlear Implants
• Hearing Loss
• Noise and Hearing Protection
• Know the Power of Sound
• Travel Tips for the Hearing Impaired
• Hyperacusis (an increased sensitivity to sounds)
• What You Should Know About Otosclerosis