Predictors of symptom score improvement in pediatric otolaryngology patients with sensorineural hearing loss
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22813292Keywords:
sensorineural hearing loss, pediatric otolaryngology, cochlear implantation, early intervention, symptom scoreAbstract
Background: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects roughly 1-3 per 1,000 children and is managed with hearing aids or cochlear implantation alongside early-intervention services, yet clinic-level predictors of short-term symptom improvement remain incompletely characterized.
Objective: To identify predictors of clinically meaningful improvement in a composite otologic-communication symptom score during the 12 months after diagnosis of pediatric SNHL.
Methods: Retrospective cohort of 214 children aged 0-8 years newly diagnosed with SNHL across three tertiary otolaryngology divisions, 2018-2023. Symptom scores (0-100) were recorded at diagnosis and 12 months; multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of a >=15-point reduction.
Results: Mean symptom score fell from 61.4 to 38.9 (reduction 22.5 points, p<0.001); 63.1% met the improvement threshold. Independent predictors included intervention before 12 months of age (aOR 3.42, 95% CI 1.86-6.29), bilateral device fitting (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.24-4.19), early-intervention enrollment within 60 days (aOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.49-4.93), absence of comorbid developmental disability (aOR 2.14, 95% CI 1.12-4.08), and cochlear implantation over hearing aids in severe-to-profound loss (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.05-3.89).
Conclusions: Early intervention timing, bilateral device access, prompt early-intervention enrollment, and absence of comorbid developmental disability were the strongest independent predictors of symptom improvement in pediatric SNHL.
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