2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 10:35 AM - 11:05 AM | What audiologists should know about the evaluation and treatment of children living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) | 319
What audiologists should know about the evaluation and treatment of children living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
Children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder, are three times more likely to have hearing loss. The Newborn Screening Heel Prick Test for SCD was implemented in 2006 finally making early identification of SCD possible. Sickle Cell Disease is the second most prevalent dried blood specimen disorder in the United States with 4.9 children born with SCD per 10,000 births. This is more prevalent than Cystic Fibrosis. The impact of SCD on pediatric hearing (and balance) has been given very little attention in the audiology community though SCD affects 8 million people world-wide. Information such as the onset, type, severity or configuration of the hearing loss and theorized anatomical mechanisms of the loss, such as lack of blood supply to the auditory labyrinth will be presented. In fact, an accurate understanding of SCD in general and its devasting and severely painful symptoms will be highlighted. Recent data implies that there should be an increase in audiological testing and screening for children living with SCD. Pediatric audiologists who evaluate these children, even infrequently, should be particularly aware. They should be on alert to identify children in their caseloads with SCD and provide necessary monitoring, treatment, recommendations, and interprofessional communications. The basic pathology of SCD and the evidence to support the presence, incidence, severity, and nature of auditory dysfunction in children with SCD will be reviewed. Barriers to testing will also be introduced.
- At the conclusion of this session the learner will be able to identify at least three theorized causes of damage to the auditory system due to Sickle Cell Disease.
- At the conclusion of this session the learner will be able to identify at least two health professionals outside of audiology with whom to conduct interprofessional communications regarding the pediatric patient with Sickle Cell Disease.
- At the conclusion of this session the learner will be able to describe the type, severity and configuration of hearing loss commonly seen in children with Sickle Cell Disease.
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Presenters/Authors
M. Dawn Nelson
(Primary Presenter), nelso1md@cmich.edu;
M. Dawn Nelson, Ph.D., CCC-A
Central Michigan University
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.