Management challenges of congenital & early onset childhood hearing loss in a sub-Saharan African country

BackgroundHearing impairment is a hidden human disability with potentially catastrophic and age long consequences. This study highlighted the challenges associated with the management of congenital and early onset childhood hearing loss in a sub-Saharan African country.MethodsA retrospective descriptive study of children seen between January 2008 and December 2013ResultA total of 223 children consisting of 124 (55.6%) males with (M:F) of 1.3:1. Age ranged 1–15 years (mean ± SD; 6.39 ± 4.37 years) and age group 1–5 years constituted the largest proportion (56.5%). Congenital causes, febrile illness and hypoxia were the leading causes of HI. Over 93% had moderately severe to profound hearing loss and 64.6% had delayed speech development. Majority (99.3%) with congenital/perinatal onset of HL had significantly delayed speech development and 99.3% of HL due to ototoxicity and infective causes had peri/post lingual speech impairment. Larger percentage of patients presented late; 16.6% of patients with congenital/perinatal onset of HL presented within the first year, >41% presented after the fifth year. Less than 5% had hearing aid fitted and patients with profound hearing impairment were referred for cochlear implantConclusionThe burden of congenital and early onset hearing impairment is high and management outcomes are unsatisfactory in our locality, Challenges associated with managing such children were discussed, and suggestions/strategies for better management and outcome were made.