[Prevalence and diagnostic aspects of balance disorders in children with hearing impairment].

BACKGROUND

Children with hearing impairment are at an increased risk of vestibular disorders. Due to the diagnostic challenges associated with pediatric populations, corresponding assessments are rarely performed, resulting in a lack of prevalence data in Germany. The findings, however, could have significant implications for subsequent diagnostic processes, therapeutic interventions, and preventive measures.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the feasibility of balance diagnostics for children of all age groups and emphasizes the necessity of their routine application in children with hearing impairment. Additionally, the prevalence of balance disorders in this population was assessed.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 124 children with hearing disorders who had undergone neurootologic assessment over a 12-month period. The children were aged between 6 months and 17 years (median age 5.5 years). Diagnostic workup included a detailed medical history, examination with Frenzel glasses, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP, oVEMP), and a video head impulse test (vHIT).

RESULTS

Vestibular dysfunctions were identified in 52% of the 122 children with hearing impairment who underwent instrumental assessment, with 4.5% exhibiting isolated semicircular canal abnormalities (5/110), 34.5% showing otolith dysfunctions (38/110), and 20.4% presenting with combined dysfunctions (20/98). Instrumental diagnostics could not be performed in two children. Additionally, a diagnosis of bilateral vestibulopathy was established for the first time in seven children.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that vestibular diagnostics are feasible in children with hearing impairment of all age groups and advocates for their routine integration into clinical practice. Future longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the long-term consequences of vestibular dysfunctions and the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.