The validity of family history as a risk factor in pediatric hearing loss

Objectives: A family history of permanent childhood hearing loss is considered a risk factor for pediatric hearing loss, although its validity has been sparsely examined. This study aimed to: (1) investigate the prevalence and yield of this risk factor for congenital and postnatal hearing losses, (2) define the audiometric characteristics of hearing loss in children with positive family histories, and (3) assess the nature of the familial relationships. Method: A retrospective cohort study including all children born in Queensland, Australia between September 2004 and December 2011 who had completed Healthy Hearing's newborn hearing screen (n= 380,895). Results: (1) Prevalence of the risk factor was 1.09% (4138/380,895). Prevalence of the risk factor in congenital cases was 7.29% and in postnatal cases was 36.84%. A low yield was identified for both congenital and postnatal groups (1.43% and 1.7%, respectively). (2) The degree of loss in congenital cases was highly varied, whereas the predominant degree in postnatal cases was mild. The most frequent type of loss for congenital cases was sensorineural, whereas for postnatal cases it was conductive. (3) Maternal or sibling relationships were most commonly reported for congenital losses, and maternal or paternal relationships for postnatal losses. Conclusions: Children with a family history of pediatric hearing loss should have their hearing screened at birth and be monitored throughout early childhood. However, more efficient surveillance methods should be considered in view of the high prevalence with low yield.