Early Detection and Intervention for Pediatric Hearing Loss

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Otolaryngology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 492

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Interests: pediatrics; chronic illness; psychosocial; diagnosis and intervention

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Otolaryngology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Interests: pediatric psychology; developmental disorders; behavior problems; cochlear implantation; pediatric hearing loss

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Early detection and timely intervention are critical to optimizing developmental, educational, and psychosocial outcomes for children with hearing loss. This Special Issue, Early Detection and Intervention for Pediatric Hearing Loss, brings together multidisciplinary research and clinical perspectives that advance understanding of screening, diagnostic pathways, and early management across diverse pediatric populations. Topics include universal newborn hearing screening, genetic and etiologic evaluation, audiologic assessment, family-centered counseling, and early intervention services such as amplification, cochlear implantation, and habilitative therapies. The issue also highlights innovations in technology, precision medicine, and care coordination, as well as outcomes related to language development, cognition, and quality of life. Collectively, these contributions aim to inform best practices, support evidence-based policy, and promote integrated models of care that ensure children with hearing loss are identified early and receive timely and effective interventions.

Dr. Jennifer Coto
Dr. Ivette Cejas
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • pediatrics
  • diagnosis
  • early intervention
  • innovation
  • technology
  • precision medicine

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 978 KB  
Article
Early Auditory Stimulation, Not Device Type: Comparable Cortical Maturation in Children Using Cochlear Implants or Hearing Aids
by Koray Tumuklu and Behcet Gunsoy
Children 2026, 13(5), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13050657 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Introduction: The present study aimed to compare cortical auditory maturation, as reflected by P1 latency of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs), in children with congenital severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss rehabilitated with unilateral cochlear implants (CIs) or bilateral conventional hearing aids (HAs). Materials [...] Read more.
Introduction: The present study aimed to compare cortical auditory maturation, as reflected by P1 latency of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs), in children with congenital severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss rehabilitated with unilateral cochlear implants (CIs) or bilateral conventional hearing aids (HAs). Materials and Methods: Eighty-five children with congenital severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss were included in this retrospective comparative study. Participants were divided into two groups: unilateral CI users (n = 42) and bilateral HA users (n = 43). All children were fitted with their devices before 48 months of age and achieved aided free-field thresholds between 30 and 50 dB HL. CAEPs were recorded using the Fonix® HEARLab System with speech stimuli (/m/, /g/, /t/) presented at 55 dB SPL. P1 latency values were measured and compared between groups using independent samples t-tests. Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between duration of device use and P1 latency. Results: Eighty-five children were included (CI: n = 42; HA: n = 43). Mean P1 latency values did not differ significantly between groups for the /m/ stimulus (126.4 ± 29.13 ms vs. 126.4 ± 29.28 ms, p = 1.00), /g/ stimulus (106.5 ± 26.46 ms vs. 110.1 ± 29.49 ms, p = 0.55), or /t/ stimulus (114.7 ± 22.93 ms vs. 118.5 ± 27.19 ms, p = 0.48). Age at device fitting was comparable between groups (27.95 ± 9.10 vs. 26.88 ± 14.15 months, p = 0.68). The duration of device use was significantly longer in the HA group (48.02 ± 28.39 months) compared to the CI group (26.00 ± 15.92 months) (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed no significant association between duration of device use and P1 latency for any stimulus (/m/: p = 0.28; /g/: p = 0.17; /t/: p = 0.09). Conclusions: When devices were fitted before 48 months of age and aided thresholds were optimized, unilateral cochlear implantation and bilateral conventional hearing aids showed comparable P1 latency values as an index of cortical auditory maturation. These findings suggest that early and adequate auditory stimulation may play an important role in supporting cortical auditory development in children with congenital hearing loss, although results should be interpreted within the context of individualized clinical management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Detection and Intervention for Pediatric Hearing Loss)
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