Hearing ability among patients with pervasive developmental disorders

Background: Assessment of auditory abilities is important in the diagnosis and treatment of children with autism. Although the diagnosis of autism is strengthened when hearing is normal, hearing impairment should not eliminate autism. Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate hearing ability among patients presenting with pervasive developmental disorders. Methods: This case series study included 51 patients presenting with pervasive developmental disorders who consulted Psychiatric Research Unit/College of Medicine and underwent hearing assessment at Al-Jamhory Teaching Hospital from January to November 2011. Results: The study included 51 patients: 34 males (66.6%) and 17 females (33.4%) with ratio of 2:1. The mean age of patients was 6.62 years with a peak age of presentation at eight years of age. A pervasive developmental disorders screening scale revealed that 20 patients (39.3%) were not autistic. Twenty sevenpatients (52.9%) were suffering from mild symptoms whereas moderate and severe symptoms encountered in 3 (5.9%) and 1 patient (1.9%) respectively. Hearing assessment revealed that 33 patients (64.7%) were normal. Six patients (11.8%) were suffering from mild hearing loss whereas moderate and severe hearing loss were encountered in 5 (9.8%) and 7 patients (13.7%) respectively. Very weak correlation (rs = 0.071, p =0.62) has been found between symptoms of pervasive developmental disorders and severity of hearing loss. Conclusion: More than a third of patients with pervasive developmental disorders have hearing affection. However, no significant correlation has been found between severity of pervasive developmental disorders and hearing impairment.