Pediatric Hearing Loss Management in the COVID-19 Era: Possible Consequences and Resources for the Next Future

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Feb;166(2):217-218. doi: 10.1177/01945998211012677. Epub 2021 May 4.

Abstract

Pediatric hearing loss early diagnosis and treatment have been limited by the current restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The difficulty in accessing the multiple facilities required for the rehabilitative process is influencing the timing of each step of the process. Auditory hearing screening programs, etiological characterization, surgical timing, and speech therapies have all been limited in the past year. The current conditions have forced us to adopt different strategies to overcome the necessary social distancing prescriptions. Although their efficacy should be proved over time, some of these resources will be probably useful even in a nonpandemic future.

Keywords: COVID-19; children; cochlear implants; face masks; hearing loss.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Child
  • Cochlear Implants
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Hearing Loss / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss / rehabilitation
  • Hearing Loss / therapy*
  • Humans