The aim of this study was to assess hearing in children with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and compare them with a healthy control group. In addition to conventional audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry and Transient otoacoustic emission (TOAEs) were used. This study also tried to investigate the vestibular function in JIR children by videonystagmography (VNG).
The study group comprised of 28 children with JIR and 28 healthy children. All subjects were examined audiologically using basic audiological evaluation, high-frequency audiometry, TOAEs, and VNG.
Children with JIR had apparent normal peripheral hearing in conventional audiometry; sub-clinical sensory neural hearing loss was detected. This sub-clinical hearing loss appeared in statistically significant difference between them and normal in high-frequency audiometry and TOAEs. VNG test results showed affected tracking and second tests.
It was found that JIR children had potential sensory neural hearing loss and vestibular affection. Therefore, this study recommends: early complete audiologic evaluation of JIA child followed by regular follow-up, including TOAEs, extended high-frequency audiometry, and VNG. This follow-up is important for preliminary diagnosis and management in order to prevent the negative impact of hearing loss on a child's life.