The Ingestion Question: Public Knowledge of Safe Food Introduction in Children.

Objectives: National guidelines advise delaying initiation of solid foods until after 4-6 months of age and avoiding "high-risk" foods under the age of 4 years. However, foreign body aspiration of food remains a common preventable pediatric emergency. Our primary aim was to investigate public knowledge regarding the safe age of introduction of different foods to children and determine if demographic factors affect this knowledge.

Feasibility and Outcomes of an Active Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Implant in Children as Young as 5 Years of Age.

Introduction: This study reviews the feasibility of implanting active osseointegrated bone conduction devices in young children, below the prior age for FDA indication (<12 years), which has recently been reduced to 5 years. Outcomes included differences in adverse event rates and operative time between two groups (<12 and 12 years or older).

Materials And Methods: This study is a retrospective review of children receiving active osseointegrated bone conduction devices at a tertiary referral center academic hospital.

Binaural responses to a speech syllable are altered in children with hearing loss: Evidence from the frequency-following response.

Background & Rationale: In prior work using non-speech stimuli, children with hearing loss show impaired perception of binaural cues and no significant change in cortical responses to bilateral versus unilateral stimulation. Aims of the present study were to: 1) identify bilateral responses to envelope and spectral components of a speech syllable using the frequency-following response (FFR), 2) determine if abnormalities in the bilateral FFR occur in children with hearing loss, and 3) assess functional consequences of abnormal bilateral FFR responses on perception of binaural timing cues.

Methods: A single-syllable speech stimulus (/dα/) was presented to each ear individually and bilaterally.

Safety and Early Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation of Nucleus Devices in Infants: A Multi-Centre Study.

This multi-center study examined the safety and effectiveness of cochlear implantation of children between 9 and 11 months of age. The intended impact was to support practice regarding candidacy assessment and prognostic counseling of pediatric cochlear implant candidates. Data in the clinical chart of children implanted at 9-11 months of age with Cochlear Ltd devices at five cochlear implant centers in the United States and Canada were included in analyses.

Variants in Genes Associated with Hearing Loss in Children: Prevalence in a Large Canadian Cohort.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of genetic variants associated with hearing loss in a large cohort of children in Canada using high throughput next generation sequencing (NGS).

Methods: A total of 485 children with hearing loss underwent NGS testing with an 80 gene panel of syndromic and non-syndromic variants known to be associated with hearing loss. Genetic variants were classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, likely benign, benign, or variants of uncertain significance (VUS), according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines.

Head and Eye Movements Reveal Compensatory Strategies for Acute Binaural Deficits During Sound Localization.

The present study aimed to define use of head and eye movements during sound localization in children and adults to: (1) assess effects of stationary versus moving sound and (2) define effects of binaural cues degraded through acute monaural ear plugging. Thirty-three youth (= 12.9 years) and seventeen adults (= 24.

Exposure to Spoken Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Children With Cochlear Implants.

Importance: School closures and other COVID-19-related restrictions could decrease children's exposure to speech during important stages of development.

Objective: To assess whether significant decreases in exposure to spoken communication found during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic among children using cochlear implants are confirmed for a larger cohort of children and were sustained over the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used datalogs collected from children with cochlear implants during clinical visits to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from January 1, 2018, to November 11, 2021.

Importance of early objective auditory testing in the presentation of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children.

Background: Functional hearing loss can be due to an auditory manifestation of functional neurological disorder, previously known as conversion disorder.

Methods: This is a case series of 3 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic SSNHL who ultimately were found to have functional neurological disorder.

Results: Average age was 12.

Effects of the BalanCI on Working Memory and Balance in Children and Young Adults With Cochleovestibular Dysfunction.

Objectives: This study aimed to: (1) determine the interaction between cognitive load and balance in children and young adults with bilateral cochleovestibular dysfunction who use bilateral cochlear implants (CIs) and (2) determine the effect of an auditory balance prosthesis (the BalanCI) on this interaction. Many (20 to 70%) children with sensorineural hearing loss experience some degree of vestibular loss, leading to poorer balance. Poor balance could have effects on cognitive resource allocation which might be alleviated by the BalanCI as it translates head-referenced cues into electrical pulses delivered through the CI.

Evaluating the use of a balance prosthesis during balance perturbations in children and young adults with cochleovestibular dysfunction.

Study objectives were to: (1) quantify stability in children and young adults using cochlear implants with concurrent cochleovestibular dysfunction (CI-V) during balance perturbations and (2) to assess effects of an auditory head-referencing device (BalanCI) on their stability. The BalanCI provides auditory feedback via cochlear implants to cue posture and potentially avoid falling in children with CI-V. It was hypothesized that children and young adults with CI-V respond with larger movements to floor perturbations than typically-developing peers (controls) and that BalanCI use decreases these movements.

Olfaction and Gustation in Children With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Objective: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder whereby abnormal cilia cause a wide array of respiratory tract manifestations including chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether olfaction and gustation are impaired in children with PCD.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Effects of Age at Implantation on Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Short Durations of Single-Sided Deafness.

Objective: Children with single-sided deafness (SSD) show reduced language and academic development and report hearing challenges. We aim to improve outcomes in children with SSD by providing bilateral hearing through cochlear implantation of the deaf ear with minimal delay.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study of 57 children with SSD provided with cochlear implant (CI) between May 13, 2013, and June 25, 2021.

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in High-risk Children: A 10-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: Despite the availability of conjugate pneumococcal vaccines, children with high-risk conditions remain vulnerable to invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). This study sought to describe IPD prevalence, vaccination and outcomes among high-risk children.

Methods: We used International Classification of Disease10 discharge and microbiology codes to identify patients hospitalized for IPD at a large pediatric hospital from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018.

Longitudinal Effects of Simultaneous and Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation on Cortical Auditory-Evoked Potentials Recorded at Cz in a Large Cohort of Children.

Objectives: Auditory development after bilateral cochlear implantation in children has been measured using source localization of multi-channel late latency responses. It is not clear, however, whether this development can be tracked using a more clinically feasible method of recording from one active recording electrode placed at mid-line center of the head (Cz).

Design: In this prospective cohort study, cortical auditory-evoked potential responses (CAEPs) were recorded from Cz referenced to each earlobe (Cz-CAEP) from 222 children with bilateral cochlear implant (CI); 128 (mean ± SD age: 2.

Endoscopic Repair of Round Window Cochleocele.

Objective: To describe the novel presentation, implications, and endoscopic management of a congenital round window cochleocele.

Patient: A 16-month old girl with profound hearing loss from bilateral incomplete partition type 1 (IP1) anomaly of the cochlea plus left-sided cochlear nerve aplasia and cochleocele.

Intervention: Anomalies were identified with computed tomographic scanning and magnetic resonance imaging during cochlear implant candidacy assessment.

Button battery taping prevents oesophageal injury.

Aim: Most button battery (BB) ingestions in children are unwitnessed leading to prolonged exposures and severe complications. One third of ingestions occur from free BB, that are stored or awaiting disposal. Recommendations have been made to cover the terminals of discarded BB with adhesive tape; however, it is unclear if this practice prevents injury.

Cortical imbalance following delayed restoration of bilateral hearing in deaf adolescents.

Unilateral auditory deprivation in early childhood can lead to cortical strengthening of inputs from the stimulated side, yet the impact of this on bilateral processing when inputs are later restored beyond an early sensitive period is unknown. To address this, we conducted a longitudinal study with 13 bilaterally profoundly deaf adolescents who received unilateral access to sound via a cochlear implant (CI) in their right ear in early childhood before receiving bilateral access to sound a decade later via a second CI in their left ear. Auditory-evoked cortical responses to unilateral and bilateral stimulation were measured repeatedly using electroencephalogram from 1 week to 14 months after activation of their second CI.

Hearing Instability in Children with Congenital Cytomegalovirus: Evidence and Neural Consequences.

Objective/hypothesis: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common sequela of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), potentially exacerbating neurocognitive delay. The objectives of this study were to assess: (1) age at which SNHL in children with cCMV; (2) stimulability of the auditory system in children with cCMV following cochlear implantation (CI); and (3) whether features of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially are predictive of hearing outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective study of a prospectively acquired cohort, 123 children with cCMV who were referred for hearing loss at a single tertiary referral hospital over 20 years were compared with an unmatched comparative group of 90 children with GJB2-related deafness.

Toward a method of achieving balanced stimulation of bilateral auditory nerves: Evidence from children receiving matched and unmatched bilateral cochlear implants simultaneously.

Objectives: To identify whether mismatched bilateral cochlear implants compromise balanced stimulation of the two auditory nerves and establish asymmetric hearing in children.

Methods: Behavioural and electrophysiological measures were completed in 47 children receiving bilateral CIs in the same surgery (simultaneously): 27 children received a peri‑modiolar N24RE array in one ear and a 422 anti-modiolar array in the other (experimental group) and 20 children received 2 peri‑modiolar arrays (control group). Differences in current levels between the two devices were measured by electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) at the time of surgery.

Vestibular and Balance Impairment Is Common in Children With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Objective: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder that presents with a wide range of respiratory complaints. The most common otologic associated disorder is middle ear effusion. We ask if children with PCD suffer from vestibular impairment.

First Generation Osseointegrated Steady State Implant Benefits in Children With Hearing Loss.

Objective: To assess outcomes of a new Osseointegrated Steady State Implant (OSSI) for bone conduction in adolescents.

Method: In an initial trial, 14 adolescents (14.5 years of age, SD = 2.

The Importance of Access to Bilateral Hearing through Cochlear Implants in Children.

Children with hearing loss require early access to sound in both ears to support their development. In this article, we describe barriers to providing bilateral hearing and developmental consequences of delays during early sensitive periods. Barriers include late identification of hearing loss in one or both ears and delayed access to intervention with hearing devices such as cochlear implants.