Introduction: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a major cause of childhood disability worldwide, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 2000 neonates and 6 in 1000 children by 18 years of age. Imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of congenital sensorineural hearing loss. It provides vital preoperative information about the Temporal bone and its anomalies, the vestibulocochlear nerve, and brain.

Aims & Objective: To study and evaluate the causes of congenital sensorineural hearing loss through radiological screening (CT/MRI) with following objectives (a) To find the incidence of cochlear malformations, vestibular semicircular canal, Vestibular and cochlear aqueduct malformations and (b) To find the incidence of Cochlear nerve deficiency, endolymphatic duct, Internal auditory canal abnormality.

Methods: All patients with congenital sensorineural hearing loss who visited study center were included who fulfilled the selection criteria. A total of 150 congenital SNHL patients were selected from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore. All patients were subjected to audiological assessment, ear examination, CT and MRI temporal bone.

Results: In 150 patients we found 25 (17%) patients had inner ear abnormality. Males were 72% and 28% were female, aged between 1 to 7 years.

Conclusion: Inner ear malformations were found in 17% of patients with congenital sensorineural hearing loss. High-resolution CT and MR imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of congenital hearing loss by providing crucial information about the inner ear, vestibulocochlear nerve, and brain.

Keywords: Congenital sensorineural hearing loss, inner ear abnormalities, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging.

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Yadav N

Junior Resident, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and Post Graduate Institute, Indore (M.P.)