Cochleo-Vestibular Diseases in the Pediatric Population

Dear Colleagues,

Vertigo and dizziness of at least moderate intensity affect more than 5% of school-aged children, leading to significant limitations in their ability to engage in educational and recreational activities. More than half of children who experience dizziness also report headaches. The most common diagnoses for dizziness in children and adolescents at specialized clinics are vestibular migraine and benign paroxysmal vertigo, often seen as migraine precursors; other pathologies exist but have been less studied. The vestibular and balance systems develop significantly after the age of one year, ensuring the reliability of clinical and laboratory tests. Brain MRIs are only necessary for ruling out serious conditions, such as brainstem tumors, when clinical tests show abnormalities. Most causes of vertigo and dizziness in children and adolescents are treatable. Evidence supporting the use of medication is mainly based on adult studies, with few high-quality controlled trials in children. Age-appropriate, personalized vestibular rehabilitation is also essential in children in the case of vestibular impairment, although it is seldom utilized. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential since appropriate treatment and counseling can prevent the development of chronic conditions.

Hearing impairment, when left unaddressed or inadequately supported, may limit access to spoken language, lead to social isolation, and significantly impact overall quality of life. In early childhood, deafness can hinder school attendance and academic progress. Hearing loss is also associated with feelings of loneliness, isolation, depression, and anxiety. Estimates of pediatric tinnitus prevalence vary widely, ranging from 7.5% to 60% among children presenting with otologic symptoms. Isolated tinnitus in children is relatively rare and often poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly in the absence of other clinical indicators. Hearing rehabilitation is essential to minimize or eliminate functional deficits and, ideally, to restore individuals as effectively as possible to their pre-impairment state. While technical solutions such as installing hearing aids are one avenue, individuals with more severe hearing loss should be offered a comprehensive, interdisciplinary rehabilitation program that includes medical, psychological, social, and educational components.

This Special Issue, titled ‘Cochleo-Vestibular Diseases in the Pediatric Population’, aims to explore current evidence-based insights into cochlear and vestibular disorders in children. It also seeks to highlight recent advancements in rehabilitative techniques, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and vestibular therapy. We welcome and encourage submissions that contribute to deepening our understanding of these important topics.

Topics will be centered on diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, including vestibular rehabilitation and auditory rehabilitation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assessment and management of cochlear disease (children):
• Clinical, instrumental, or radiological assessment;
• Hearing loss and tinnitus;
• Cochlear implant, hearing aids, and medical drugs.
• Assessment and management of vestibular disease (children):
• Clinical, instrumental, and radiological assessment;
• Vestibular diseases: benign paroxysmal vertigo, migraine, vestibular paroxysmia, and vestibular epilepsy;
• All forms of vestibular impairment (traumatic, genetic, iatrogenic);
• Vestibular rehabilitation.

It is our hope that this Special Issue will offer a valuable contribution to improving the management and diagnosis of cochleo-vestibular pathologies in children.

Dr. Pierre Reynard
Dr. Eugen C. Ionescu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Audiology Research is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• children
• vestibular disease
• vestibular migraine
• paroxysmia
• benign paroxysmal vertigo of child-hood
• cochleo-vestibular malformation
• cochlear implantation
• radiology
• vestibular rehabilitation
• auditory rehabilitation