(September 15, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more helpful for finding the cause of sensorineural hearing loss among children than X-rays or computed tomography (CT), according to research published in the Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.

Here are some facts about sensorineural hearing loss:

•    It is related to defects in the sensory nerves, which are located in the inner ear.

•    While conductive hearing loss is often reversible, sensorineural hearing loss is not.

•    Among children, the cause is often genetic, but it can also be caused by a disease or infection.

Researchers from the University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Medical Center in Dallas analyzed the medical records of 170 children, aged 1 month to 17 years, who had been diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss.

Overall, 101 patients had hearing loss in both ears, while 69 had hearing loss in one ear. MRI revealed abnormalities in the inner portion of 40% of the affected ears and in the cochlea of 32%. The cochlea is a spiral structure in the inner ear that contains hair cells known as cilia that are integral to the transmission of sound through the ear. These abnormalities tended to worsen when the children's hearing loss was worse and when severe hearing loss affected only one ear.

Today's research highlights the importance of using MRI scans to identify specific defects among children with sensorineural hearing loss, which can identify relevant soft tissue abnormalities better than CT or X-ray.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.