Prevalence of Childhood Permanent Hearing Loss after Early Complex Cardiac Surgery.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of childhood permanent hearing loss (PHL) after early cardiac surgery.

Study Design: This prospective observational (1996-2015) study after complex cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at ≤6 weeks of life reports audiology follow-up by registered pediatric-experienced audiologists at 6-8 months postsurgery, age 2 years, and as required throughout and thereafter to complete diagnoses. PHL at any frequency (500-4000 Hz) is defined as responses of >25-decibel hearing level in either ear.