Aetiologies of profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss among children in Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: a strong need exists for the knowledge of aetiologies of diseases as this will guide the clinicians on the strategies for their treatment and prevention. In this study, we determined the aetiologies of profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (pbSNHL) with a view to provide the relevant data needed for preventive and therapeutic intervention among children in Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria.

Methods: medical records of children with pbSNHL seen over a ten-year period were analysed.

Results: in all, records of 142 children with pbSNHL were analysed. The results showed spectrum of aetiologies that were similar to those reported decades ago with the 'unknown' assuming a recurring decimal. Of the known (acquired) cases, measles takes up the largest 'chunk' with a prevalence of 45.8%. Twenty-eight (32.2%) of those with febrile illnesses had treated their fever with ototoxic antibiotics. Late diagnosis was characteristic of the pbSNHL.

Conclusion: this study shows that there hasn't been any significant shift in the common causes of pbSNHL. Of great concern is the persistence of the 'unknown' causes which assumes a recurring decimal in this and previous studies. Also worrisome is the high prevalence of measles-induced pbSNHL despite the availability of anti-measles vaccine. We therefore suggest effective immunization against measles and other vaccine-preventable causes of pbSNHL. The need for intensive research on the unknown causes of pbSNHL is hereby stressed. Also recommended is routine hearing assessment for survivors of febrile conditions so as to detect, if any, hearing loss promptly.