Hearing Screening Of Children Research Articles

Annual hearing screening in children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta: results from the first five years in Glasgow

BackgroundHearing loss is common in people with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), although exactly how common is unknown. The prevalence of hearing loss in children with OI has been reported to be anything from 0 to 77%. Brittle Bone Society guidelines suggest that, unless there are ear symptoms, children with OI should have their hearing tested every three years starting at age three. There is limited evidence to support this recommendation. We postulate that annual hearing screening would be easier to manage and would have a worthwhile pick-up rate. MethodsIn March 2019 we began a programme of annual hearing screening for all children (ages 0-16) with OI. We collected data on age, genotype, otoscopy findings, tympanometry findings, audiometric test results and subsequent outcomes for the first five years of our programme (2019 – 2024). ResultsNineteen children with OI participated in the screening programme. Only one abnormality was found: a unilateral mild hearing impairment with a type B tympanogram, suggesting middle ear effusion. This was present in year 2 of the programme but resolved by year 3. ConclusionThe screening programme has a low pickup rate (5%) for new otological problems in the paediatric population. However, we believe that the low cost and small workload associated with the screening programme justifies continuing it until further conclusions can be drawn.

Hearing Screening in Children with Suspected Hearing Loss at a Tertiary Care Centre of Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

This study aims to comprehend the experience of hearing screening in children with suspected hearing loss at a tertiary care centre of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India using distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) as a screening modality. This study was conducted at a tertiary care centre of eastern Uttar Pradesh during the period of July, 2021to June, 2022 consisting of 96 children who were referred with suspected hearing loss. They underwent distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) testing. Out of 96 children who underwent DPOAE testing, 25 (26.04%) passed the test, 55(57.29%) had "refer" result in bilateral ears whereas 16 (16.67%) had "refer" result in either ear. OAE is a simple, cost-effective and convenient tool for hearing screening in spite of some limitations. Universal new-born hearing screening can be implemented using OAE.

A comparative study of OAE (OTO acoustic emission) and BERA (brainstem evoked response audiometry) / ASSR (auditory steady state response) as a screening of hearing loss among the children (<12 years of age) for hearing assessment in ENT OPD

Normal speech and language development depend upon a child’s ability to hear spoken language. The most important period for language and speech development is generally regarded as the first 3 years of life. Pediatric hearing loss is a major concern in India due to high incidence of hearing loss in this age, high birth rate, lack of facilities and awareness for early diagnosis. Therefore, early detection and early identification of hearing loss is very important. The study was carried out in ENT Department, Sir T Hospital, Bhavnagar. A total of 100 children <12 years of age with hearing loss who were screened with OAE (OTO acoustic emission) and BERA (brainstem evoked response audiometry). Among 100 children (<12 years of age), majority of the cases were in age group of 6 to 12 yrs. Male patients are predominantly affected than other patients. The earlier intervention, better were results. It is important to have more awareness programs focusing on importance of early hearing screening in children. This current study indicated the importance of screening for hearing loss among children.

Knowledge, attitude and management of hearing screening in children among family physicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Early detection and management of hearing loss are important to develop ordinary speaking language and academic skills during childhood. Lack of knowledge by either parents or health care providers could hinder the process of hearing loss diagnosis, such that the intervention will be less effective. There is little evidence about the knowledge and practice of family physicians regarding hearing screening in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. This study aimed to assess family physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to hearing loss in children. This in turn will help policy makers and educational institutions to establish and promote a program concerned with screening, diagnosis and intervention of paediatric hearing loss. A cross-sectional descriptive study enrolled 133 family physicians working at primary health centres in Saudi Arabia from March 2020 to September 2020. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of family physicians concerning hearing loss in children. The majority of the participants were working under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health and around half of them did not screen any child for hearing loss. Despite that, 91.7% indicated the importance of neonatal hearing screening, 70.7% indicate infant candidacy for cochlear implant and only 33.1% know about the existence of the early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) governmental program in kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Participants were able to identify factors associated with hearing loss such as a family history of hearing loss (85.6%), meningitis (75%) and craniofacial anomalies (51.5%). The most frequent specialists for patient referrals were ear nose and throat ENT (75.2%) and audiologists (67.7%). This study shows that family physicians have good general background about the benefits of EHDI programs and the management of hearing loss in the paediatric population. However, it also indicated insufficient knowledge in other domains of hearing loss, including assessments and the presence of the EHDI governmental program in KSA. Further actions on the involvement of family physicians in the process of neonatal hearing screening, diagnosis and intervention for hearing impairment are needed.

Decentralising paediatric hearing services through district healthcare screening in Western Cape province, South Africa.

BackgroundChildhood hearing loss is a global epidemic most prevalent in low- and middle-income countries where hearing healthcare services are often inaccessible. Referrals for primary care services to central hospitals add to growing lists and delays the time-sensitive treatment of childhood hearing loss.AimTo compare a centralised tertiary model of hearing healthcare with a decentralised model through district hearing screening for children in the Western Cape province, South Africa.SettingA central paediatric tertiary hospital in Cape Town and a district hospital in the South Peninsula region.MethodsA pragmatic quasi-experimental study design was used with a 7-month control period at a tertiary hospital (June 2019 to December 2019). Decentralising was measured by attendance rates, travelling distance, number of referrals to the tertiary hospital and hearing outcomes. There were 315 children in the tertiary group and 158 in the district group. Data were collected from patient records and an electronic database at the tertiary hospital.ResultsAttendance rate at the district hospital was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Travel distance to the district hospital was significantly shorter (p < 0.001). Number of referrals to the tertiary hospital decreased significantly during the intervention period (p < 0.001). Most children in both the tertiary and district groups (78.7% and 80.4%, respectively) passed initial hearing screening bilaterally.ConclusionHearing screening should be conducted at the appropriate level of care to increase access, reduce patient travelling distances and associated costs and reduce the burden on tertiary-level hospitals.

Accuracy of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam

This study aimed to assess the accuracy of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) compared with Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), the gold standard method, in a hearing screening program for children aged 2-5 years old in Hanoi, Vietnam. From 2011 to early 2012, 7191 preschool children were evaluated with OAE. OAE and ABR were the two methods were applied to examine the hearing loss status of the children. Children with OAE (-), meaning as “refer” in the community, were re-assessed using ABR in the sound rooms at the Vietnam National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, Vietnam. The results showed that the overall accuracy percentage of OAE compared with ABR 93.2%. The OAE method demonstrated highest accuracy of 97.9% in the oldest children of 5 years, lowest accuracy among 3-year children (90.0%), and similar for boys and girls. The study demonstrated that the OAE method is a convenient and precise method for universal hearing loss screening for preschool children in Vietnam, especially in the hard-to-reach and limited resource areas. However, further confirmed method like ABR is still needed to confirm the hearing loss status among those be classified as hearing impairment in the OAE step. How to Cite this Article Pubmed Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen. of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam. SRP. 2020; 11(5): 469-471. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 Web Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen. of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam. http://www.sysrevpharm.org/?mno=111891 [Access: March 29, 2021]. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 AMA (American Medical Association) Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen. of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam. SRP. 2020; 11(5): 469-471. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 Vancouver/ICMJE Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen. of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam. SRP. (2020), [cited March 29, 2021]; 11(5): 469-471. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 Harvard Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen (2020) of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam. SRP, 11 (5), 469-471. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 Turabian Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen. 2020. of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Reviews in Pharmacy, 11 (5), 469-471. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 Chicago Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen. Accuracy of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy 11 (2020), 469-471. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen. Accuracy of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Vietnam. Systematic Reviews in Pharmacy 11.5 (2020), 469-471. Print. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65 APA (American Psychological Association) Style Tuyet Xuong Nguyen (2020) of Otoacustic Emission in Comparison to Diagnostic Test of Auditory Brainstem Response in Hearing Screening for Children in Reviews in Pharmacy, 11 (5), 469-471. doi:10.31838/srp.2020.5.65

The results of hearing screening in refugee school children living in Şanliurfa /Turkey and the related risk factors

ObjectivesDetermining the frequency of and the risk factors for hearing loss among school-age children by comparing the results of hearing screening in children from Syrian refugee and native Turkish population. MethodsThe results of the official hearing test, which was conducted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey for schoolchildren in the first grade in the 2017–2018 academic year in the Province of Şanlıurfa, were analyzed. ResultsA total of 23,664 children were screened; 20,603 (87.1%) were Turkish native, and 3,061 (12.9%) were Syrian refugees. The age range was between 69 and 84 months. The screening results indicated in Turkish children, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in 0.26%, otitis media with effusion (OME) in 0.41%, and chronic otitis media (COM) in 0.08%. In the refugee children, the frequency of SNHL was 1.11%, OME was 0.94%, and COM was 0.62%. The rate of COM and SNHL was significantly higher in the refugee children (p < 0.001). Moreover, among those with hearing loss, the frequency of low birth weight, inflammatory diseases, and the family history of consanguineous marriage was significantly higher in refugee children compared to those in Turkish native population (p = 0.018, p = 0.003, and p = 0.022, respectively). ConclusionHearing loss is a major preventable and treatable cause of developmental disorder in childhood. When untreated, hearing loss may delay speaking and prevent socio-emotional development, leading to longterm negative consequences. We believe that programs for hearing screening in schoolchildren should be expanded and that immigrants who carry several risk factors for developmental hearing loss should be included in these programs.

Tablet-based Hearing Screening in Children Aged 5 to 17 in Rural Dominican Republic.

The principal aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of hearing screening using tablet audiometry among a cohort of school-aged children in rural Dominican Republic. The authors hypothesized that the tablet audiometer would serve as an expeditious means for hearing loss screening in various remote locations. Cross-sectional. Twenty-three remote locations in and around the city of La Romana, Dominican Republic. The quietest location available in each site was used for testing. Inclusion criteria comprised children aged 5 to 17 currently residing in the testing location. Children aged <5 years or >18 years were excluded. Screening. For each subject, air conduction thresholds were obtained bilaterally at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz; testing duration was also measured. Hearing loss was suspected if any threshold measured ≥30 dB. In this cohort of 423 subjects, 44 (10.4%) failed the screening protocol. The mean thresholds for 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz frequencies were 26.05, 22.73, 17.57, and 17.15 dB, respectively. Of the 658 thresholds obtained at ≥30 dB, the majority were at 500 or 1000 Hz. The mean testing duration was 494 seconds. These results suggest that children living in remote communities can be screened quickly for hearing loss using a tablet audiometer. However, significant background noise during testing negatively impacted the low-frequency measurements, thus compromising test reliability. Despite extending the reach of existing audiological services, the value of tablet audiometry is not entirely clear in rural environments with uncontrollable background noise.

The role of routine hearing screening in children with cystic fibrosis on aminoglycosides: A systematic review.

To review the role of routine hearing screening for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have been on aminoglycoside therapy. PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Ovid databases. A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed from 1970 to 2014. Randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, cohort studies, and case series including pediatric subjects with baseline auditory evaluations were included. Twelve studies (1979-2014) were reviewed. The study population included 762 children (5 months-20 years). Hearing screening measures included pure-tone audiometry (PTA) at standard ± high frequency threshold (HFPTA) (12/12), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) (4/12), transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (1/12), and automated auditory brainstem response (1/12). The overall prevalence of SNHL ranged from 0% to 29%. However, on subset analysis of children with greater than 10 courses of intravenous (IV) aminoglycosides, up to 44% had SNHL. Eight studies recommended hearing screening in CF children on aminoglycosides; of these, two studies recommended screening even without aminoglycoside exposure, and four studies made no recommendations. HFPTA was the most commonly recommended screening measure followed by DPOAEs. This systematic review supports a recommendation for clinicians to perform routine hearing screening in children with CF during and after aminoglycoside exposure based on the high prevalence of SNHL in this population. Future studies should define the optimal timing for hearing screening during and after aminoglycoside therapy in children with CF.

Utility of the Vivosonic Integrity™ auditory brainstem response system as a hearing screening device for difficult-to-test children

Objective: Inability to complete a behavioral hearing screening is a challenge for children with developmental disorders or who are otherwise difficult to test, defined here as unable or unwilling to complete a behavioral screening. The study compared referral rates from screenings that used behavioral methods alone, with screenings that added a screen with the Vivosonic Integrity™ auditory brainstem response (ABR) device. Design: Behavioral screening was performed first. Those children who failed were re-screened with the Vivosonic Integrity ABR device. Changes in referral and screening completion rates after the second screening were calculated and analysed. Study sample: The participant population (n = 43) consisted of children with diagnosed developmental disorders. Results: Adding the Vivosonic Integrity to the screening protocol significantly increased the proportion of children who completed the screening, from 57% after behavioral screening to 81% after behavioral and ABR screening. The addition of the ABR screen did not change that overall pass/refer rate, in part because four participants who did not complete the behavioral screen received a ‘Refer’ outcome on the ABR screen. Conclusions: The results indicate that the Vivosonic Integrity device could be a useful tool for hearing screening of children who are difficult to screen using behavioral procedures.

Hearing Screening in Children from 0 to 5 Years in Private Clinic

Hearing Screening in Children from 0 to 5 Years in Private Clinic

The Accuracy of the Hearing Screener Device as a Hearing Screening Tool in the School Setting for First Graders Aged 5-10 Years

Background: Hearing loss in children if undetected can lead to delay in speech and language development, social and emotional problems, and academic difficulties. The importance of screening of school-age children to detect hearing loss cannot be overemphasized. In the Philippines, there is no single uniform program for hearing screening in school children. This study examines a device that has been proposed to be used for mass hearing screening. The device is called a hand-held hearing screener (Siemens Hear Check Navigator) that displays three colors as a result: green for pass or no hearing loss; yellow and red for fail or possible hearing loss. The objective of the study is to determine the accuracy of the hand-held hearing screener device as a hearing screening tool to be used in the school setting for first graders. Methodology: This is an analytical cross-sectional study among Grade I students conducted in three schools in Metro Manila, Philippines, during regular school days. Each child passed through five stations: collection of demographic data, otoscopy, screening with hearing screener device, screening audiometry and counseling. Ambient sound was maintained at 50 dBA or less during testing. The hearing screener device presents pure tones of 35 dbHL, 55 dbHL, and 75 dBHL at test frequencies 375 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 3000 Hz. Its results were: green light which was considered as “absence of hearing loss”, and yellow and red lights which were considered as “presence of hearing loss”. The results of the hearing screener device test were used to determine its sensitivity and specificity, using the results of the screening audiometry as gold standard. Results: A total of 418 grade one elementary school children were included in the study. The hand-held screener was found to have high specificity of 97.8% (yellow results) to 99.6% (red results) but low sensitivity of 9.1% (red results) to 16.7% (yellow results). Positive predictive values for red and yellow results are 26.1% and 50% respectively. The accuracy of the red results of the hearing screener device is 95.9% and the accuracy of the yellow results of the hearing screener is 94.2%. Conclusion: Based on this study, the hearing screener device has low sensitivity in detecting the presence of possible hearing loss in children when used in the school setting. Thus, the hearing screener device is not an ideal tool to use in the mass hearing screening of children in the school setting where there are no soundproof booths and with significant levels of ambient sound. Its excellent specificity may support its use, not for screening, but possibly for confirmation of the absence of hearing loss. For screening, its value lies in its high specificity, good accuracy rates and significant positive predictive values in detecting possible hearing loss, thus warranting a referral for a definitive hearing test. The significant level of ambient sound in this study’s conduction is a limitation and may account for the low sensitivity of the hearing screener device. More studies with fewer limitations are needed that will explore and validate the use of the hearing screener device in children in the school setting.

Hearing Screening in Children With Skeletal Dysplasia

To determine the prevalence of hearing loss and abnormal tympanometry in children with skeletal dysplasia. Clinical screening program. National convention of the Little People of America. Convenience sample of volunteers aged 18 years or younger with skeletal dysplasias. Hearing screening with behavioral testing and/or otoacoustic emissions, otoscopy, and tympanometry. A failed hearing screen was defined as hearing 35 dB HL (hearing level) or greater at 1 or more tested frequencies or by a "fail" otoacoustic emissions response. Types B and C tympanograms were considered abnormal. A total of 58 children (aged ≤18 years) with skeletal dysplasia enrolled, and 56 completed hearing screening. Forty-one children had normal hearing (71%); 9 failed in 1 ear (16%); and 6 failed in both ears (10%). Forty-four children had achondroplasia, and 31 had normal hearing in both ears (71%); 8 failed hearing screening in 1 ear (18%), and 3 in both ears (7%). Tympanometry was performed in 45 children, with normal tympanograms found in 21 (47%), bilateral abnormal tympanograms in 15 (33%), and unilateral abnormal tympanograms in 9 (20%). Fourteen children with achondroplasia had normal tympanograms (42%); 11 had bilateral abnormal tympanograms (33%); and 8 had unilateral abnormal tympanograms (24%). For those children without functioning tympanostomy tubes, there was a 9.5 times greater odds of hearing loss if there was abnormal tympanometry (P=.03). Hearing loss and middle-ear disease are both highly prevalent in children with skeletal dysplasias. Abnormal tympanometry is highly associated with the presence of hearing loss, as expected in children with eustachian tube dysfunction. Hearing screening with medical intervention is recommended for these children.

Improving the access of young urban children to speech, language and hearing screening via telehealth

We studied the feasibility of low-cost videoconferencing (using Skype) in urban community health clinics for speech, language and hearing screening of children up to six years of age. During a two-year study, screening services were provided via videoconferencing at two community clinics in an inner city area of Cleveland, Ohio. In total, 411 screenings were completed. Of these, 358 children (87%) received hearing screenings, 377 (92%) received tympanometry screening and 263 (64%) received speech and language screening only. A total of 151 children were aged three years or under (37%). The reliability of pure tone hearing screening (n = 7), DPOAE screening (n = 51) and speech-language screening (n = 10) was 100%. Typanometry screenings (n = 55) were 84% reliable. Families reported a high level of satisfaction with both the technology and with the videoconferencing. The results indicate that low-cost videoconferencing for screening of speech, language and hearing development in very young children in urban community health clinics is feasible, reliable and strongly supported by the community.

Otoacoustic emissions in hearing screening in children

Prevention of the consequences of hearing loss can be accomplished by early hearing screening of the cochlear function in newborus, but also with continuous hearing screening in the early childhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and feasibility of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) in hearing screening in children, evaluate the frequency and type of hearing loss and determine etiological factors of these losses. In the study, 133 children, aged 2 to 7.5 years, were tested on both ears with transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). Before screening tests all children had undergone otoscopic examination. If children had not passed either or both hearing screening tests and/or abnormal otoscopic findings in at least one ear, audiological evaluation was scheduled to confirm or exclude hearing loss. Eighty-five percent of children passed the hearing and otoscopic screening bilaterally. For additional audiologic tests 15% of children were referred. Agreement between otoscopic examination and screening tests was very good (agreement for TEOAE 95%, for DPOAE 93%). The results showed that normal tympanograms were very likely to be associated with normal screening tests. Sensitivity of TEOAE test was 94.12%, specificity 78.95%, while DPOAE sensitivity was 87.50% and specificity 75%. Hearing loss was found in 6.76% of the cases, conductive in 6.01% and sensorineural in 0.75%. Conductive hearing loss was a consequence of chronic otitis media with effusion in 25% of the cases, and a consequence of adhesive process in the middle ear in 8.33% of cases. Sensorineural hearing loss was a consequence of using ototoxic medications. TEOAE and/or DPOAE tests are reliable, noninvasive, and feasible methods for hearing screening in childhood.

110. Hearing screening in children by distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE)

110. Hearing screening in children by distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE)

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Diagnoses of hypoacousis in children based on behavioral examination in 60-ies brought about the idea of creation recommendation for hearing screening program in children. Joint Committee of Infant Hearing, organized in US in early 70-ies by the speech and hearing therapists, has edited several recommendations concerning hearing screening in children. The point of view on this problem has been changing with the development of new techniques and increase of knowledge. Initially, hearing screening was introduced only in children of high risk population. Nationals Institutes of Health, another American organization created in 90-ies, has edited details concerned implementation of the universal hearing screening program. The idea to introduce this program has expand from the USA to Europe. The document European Consensus established in 1998 regulates the status of nationals programs of universal hearing screening which are widely implemented to the clinical practice.

Video test for hearing screening in children

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sensibility and specificity of a video test hearing screening for scholars. Method: The video test and pure tone audiometry were applied to 122 students (7–9 years old). Sensibility and specificity of the video test were measured by comparing it to the audiometry. Results: The video test showed a sensibility of 100% and specificity of 79.3%. Discussion. The video test is a cheap hearing screening method and can be performed by the teacher at school.

Hearing screening for children in community settings using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions

Abstract Despite widespread investigation and utilization of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) hearing screening programmes in the neonatal population, limited research has occurred into the applicability and particulars of TEOAE testing of other paediatric ages. Further consideration must be afforded to screening beyond the neonatal stage. Later, community-based options for hearing screening include the infant period and/or upon entry to primary school, or special education settings. The present researchers have conducted TEOAE screening and analyses for 627 subjects in the two-month-old age group, 940 children of school-entry age and 489 subjects studying in special schools. In particular, TEOAE normative data were provided for specific groups and environments, and non-pathological effects on the results were described. The technical findings of this paper lend themselves to a vast array of immediate clinical applications to improve hearing screening of two-month-old infants, six-year-old sc...

Hearing screening of children in primary care

Assessment of children for hearing loss should be considered soon after birth and extend throughout childhood. Children with congenital or early acquired hearing loss benefit from early diagnosis and treatment to maximize speech and language development. Neonatal screening should include those known to be at high risk for hearing problems. Diagnosis of genetic hearing loss is important for both the child and the parents. Onset of hearing loss later in childhood is most often due to middle ear infection or fluid. These common conditions must be followed to ensure return of normal hearing. Other causes of childhood hearing loss such as meningitis, trauma, chronic otitis media, and cholesteatoma should be considered when a hearing problem develops.