National Survey Of The Aetiological Assessment Service Of Permanent Childhood Hearing Loss In Ireland

Abstract

Best practice indicates that all children who are identified with permanent childhood hearing loss (PCHL) should have access to prompt paediatric assessment to determine the need for aetiological investigations[i]. Early paediatric assessment allows the identification and management of potentially treatable causes e.g. congenital CMV (cCMV) infection and provides an opportunity to prevent or reduce disability. It also allows the identification of associated co-morbidities including potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. The role of the paediatrician also includes liaison with agencies including tertiary specialist services, education, disability services and other community based organisations