Issue 11/2023
Korkova, А.
MHAT “ Hospital Europa ” – Sofia
Congenital sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most common sensory deficits. Its incidence is 2-3: 1000 newborns. Early diagnosis is extremely important for the hearing and speech rehabilitation of the child. The test of Otoacoustic emisions is an easy test, that doesn’t need a specialist nor the cooperation of the patient.
The test gives information about the function of the outer hair cells. The dysfunction of these cells is connected to most forms of hearing loss. Further diagnostics with Auditory brainstem response (ABR )test provides information on the presence or absence of afferentation along the auditory pathway. This helps with the decision making on amplification or cochlear implantation. Early cochlear implantation till the age of 2 is recommended as the neuroplasticity of the cerebral cortex is greatest during the first years of life and this is important for the maturation of the auditory cortex and good speech development.
Key words: sensorineural hearing loss, congenital, otoacustic emissions, auditory neuropathy, cochlear implantation
Address for correspondence:
Korkova, A.
MHAT “Hospital Europa” – Sofia
Sofia, j.k. Lagera bl.10 ent. Г, flor. 4 аp. 7
e-mail: anastasiya.korkova@gmail.com