Auditory Rehabilitation in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

A number of risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) overlap with known causes of cerebral palsy (CP). Up to 39% of patients with CP also have some degree of hearing loss. During the neonatal and infant periods, acute care needs often take precedence and may even preclude definitive diagnosis and intervention. Once these children are medically stable, it can be difficult to monitor their hearing loss with age-appropriate behavioral testing. Auditory rehabilitation in these children can also be challenging. This chapter will review some of the aforementioned difficulties in more detail and provide insight into the comprehensive approach that is necessary to optimize audition in these children.