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Abstract
We have carried out a study to ascertain the prevalence of permanent unilateral hearing loss in Warrington, and to establish the usefulness of audiological assessment and computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bone in the evaluation and management of the children. Full ascertainment of 37 children has been undertaken. The prevalence of permanent unilateral hearing loss equal to or greater than 40 dB HL was 115 per 100,000. Nineteen further children presented consecutively to the Joint Community Audiology and Ear, Nose and Throat Services during the course of the study. Audiological assessment was carried out in 55 children. Thirty‐nine CT scans were undertaken. CT scans were abnormal in 11 children (27%). Dilatation of the vestibular aqueduct was present in two children. In a third child there was aplasia of the cochlea, dysplasia of the semi‐circular canals and a small internal auditory canal. In a fourth child there was a narrow internal auditory canal on the side of the unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. In a fifth child there was occlusion of the central neural foramen by a bony septum, and a small internal auditory canal. In a sixth child there were enlarged vestibules and severe dysplasia of the semi‐circular canals. In the seventh child, who was affected with a unilateral mixed conductive/sensorineural hearing loss, CT indicated the presence of a small middle ear, abnormal ossicles and dysplastic semi‐circular canals. The CT scans on four cases of permanent unilateral conductive hearing loss showed various degrees of abnormality of the external auditory canals, middle ear structures and semi‐circular canals. We conclude that the prevalence of permanent unilateral hearing loss in Warrington is similar to the previously reported prevalence of permanent bilateral hearing loss in the Trent Region. CT, following careful audiological assessment, has a valuable role in the management of permanent unilateral hearing loss. CT improves the diagnostic yield and offers useful information regarding prognosis.