Bradley W. Kesser, MD, Editor

Margaret A. Kenna, MD, MPH, Editor

Whether to order computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often a question asked at otolaryngology meetings in the evaluation of children with hearing loss. The answer, of course, depends on the clinical question being asked and the nature of the hearing loss. One article in this issue comprehensively discusses imaging for pediatric hearing loss, the ideal study, when to pursue it, and what to look for.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is now recognized as the most common viral cause of congenital hearing loss and a likely cause of progressive hearing loss. Although the optimal diagnostic test as well as management of CMV remains in flux, this common virus needs to be recognized as an important part of the newborn hearing loss diagnostic effort.

Management options for children with hearing loss include any number of interventions from individualized education programs to surgery to hearing aids (conventional and bone conducting), cochlear implantation, and even brain stem implants. Several articles address these options for children with both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, including an entire article addressing the child with unilateral hearing loss, an often difficult clinical scenario to assess and manage.

In summary, we asked the world’s leading pediatric otologic clinicians and scientists to present the most up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations to guide clinicians—otolaryngologists, pediatricians, audiologists, speech-language therapists, and other hearing health care professionals—in the workup and habilitation of these children. And what is coming down the road? Better cochlear implant technology and coding strategies, auditory brainstem implant technology, and finally, gene therapy or stem cell therapy for sensorineural hearing loss are all exciting prospects for the near and distant future.

We also cannot thank enough the authors who have generously donated their time and expertise to make this issue of Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America a practical, informative, exciting, and relevant addition to the ever-expanding literature on hearing loss in children, and who provide outstanding care for these children every day.