2020 Volume 41 Issue 1 Pages 56-63
This study evaluated data from 44 children with Down syndrome who visited Osaka university hospital department of otorhinolaryngology from January 2008 to December 2018. We evaluated hearing thresholds, progress and interventions. 94% (42/44) had mild or more hearing loss. Hearing aids were introduced in 17 of 20 patients with bilateral moderate or more hearing loss. Three patients were performed cochlear implantation eventually. In 5 cases, it was finally judged that hearing aids was unnecessary, and they stopped wearing hearing aids. Of the children who passed the newborn hearing screening (NHS), 31% (5/16) had bilateral moderate or more hearing loss. Therefore, all children with Down syndrome should be evaluated for hearing in the otolaryngology department, even if they passed the NHS. And if necessary, hearing aids should be introduced without hesitation. It is necessary to keep regular follow-up, keeping in mind that hearing threshold may fluctuate.
