The relationship between auditory input and cognitive development is fundamental, as early sensory deprivation can impair social communication and mimic neurodevelopmental disorders. Comprehensive audiological assessment is critical for children suspected of autism spectrum disorder to prevent "diagnostic overshadowing," where behavioral symptoms of hearing loss-such as social withdrawal and speech delay-are...
Clinicians should consider audiological evaluation, including imaging for structural inner-ear abnormalities like enlarged vestibular aqueduct, before or alongside autism spectrum disorder workups in children with social communication deficits.
This case highlights a diagnostic pitfall that can delay appropriate audiological intervention in children who may be mislabeled with autism spectrum disorder.
- 01An 11-year-old's hearing-loss-related communication deficits closely mimicked autism spectrum disorder.
- 02Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome (EVA) was the underlying diagnosis — a structural inner-ear abnormality.
- 03Misdiagnosis of autism in children with unidentified hearing loss can delay correct management.
- 04Case underscores the need for thorough audiological and imaging workup before a neurodevelopmental diagnosis.
- 05EVA can cause fluctuating, progressive hearing loss that affects language and social development.
Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome can produce social communication deficits that mimic autism spectrum disorder.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42237071
- DOI
- 10.1177/03000605261453353.
- Journal
- Journal of International Medical Research
- Publication type
- case_report
- Evidence level
- 4
- Sample size
- 1
- Population
- Single 11-year-old child with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome and social communication deficits
- Intervention
- Diagnostic evaluation of enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome
Primary outcomes
Accurate differential diagnosis between EVA-related hearing loss and autism spectrum disorder