Exploring and Overcoming Challenges for Efficient Audiological Testing in Children Under 5 Years of Age-Screening with Otoacoustic Emissions

/OBJECTIVES: Cisplatin-exposed pediatric cancer patients are at increased risk of ototoxicity, particularly those under 5 years of age. In this group, audiological monitoring is challenging, as interpretation of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and tympanometry, used to supplement behavioral audiometry, is subject to interindividual variability....

Audiologists monitoring pediatric oncology patients on cisplatin should consider OAE screening protocols adapted to the practical challenges of testing children under 5, though specific protocol changes depend on the study's detailed findings and local resources.

Early detection of cisplatin-related hearing damage in very young children is critical for timely intervention, and validated age-appropriate screening protocols are a key clinical gap.

1. 01Study targets children under 5 receiving cisplatin chemotherapy — a high-risk group for ototoxicity (drug-related hearing loss).
2. 02Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing is evaluated as a feasible screening tool in this challenging age group.
3. 03Practical and developmental barriers to audiological testing in young children are identified and addressed.
4. 04Findings have direct relevance to pediatric oncology audiology programs.
5. 05Early hearing monitoring in this group can inform intervention decisions before significant hearing loss occurs.

PMID

42201128

DOI

10.3390/audiolres16030074.

Journal

Audiology Research

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Children under 5 years of age undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy with ototoxicity risk

Intervention

Otoacoustic emission (OAE) hearing screening