Promoting Oral Health in Kids With Hearing Impairment
Strong correlation found between severity of hearing impairment and oral health in children
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately two to three out of every 1,000 children are born in the United States with detectable hearing loss in one or both ears.1
Hearing impairment may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering factors linked to oral health, but it can actually have a significant impact. In fact, previous studies have shown that hearing impaired children have poorer oral hygiene and a higher rate of dental caries than their hearing peers. One study found that many dentists experienced difficulties communicating with their deaf or hard-of-hearing patients.2
THE HEARING IMPAIRMENT LINK
Severe hearing loss can lead to stress, anxiety, and challenges in communicating with oral care providers. This, in turn, can result in misunderstandings about oral care and treatment plans, culminating in less than adequate oral hygiene. Stress and anxiety alone may contribute to inflammation in the body, including the gingiva, and weaken the immune system.
In addition, medications used to treat hearing problems and any accompanying psychological conditions can have side effects that are detrimental to oral health. These can range from antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and high doses of aspirin, to antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and immune suppressants in cases of hearing impairment related to autoimmune disorders. Any of these can impact the ability to taste and lead to other issues such as xerostomia, which can increase the risk of plaque buildup, inflammation, and gingivitis,
Genetic predispositions can also play a role. Shared genetic pathways or susceptibilities may account for certain conditions that foster the co-occurrence of hearing loss severity and dental problems.3
STUDY SHEDS LIGHT
Researchers based in Damascus, Syria, recently set out to assess the relationship between hearing impairment and oral health issues. They believed that findings could encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals.
The study involved 90 hearing-impaired children of Syrian descent age 6 to 12. The researchers used diagnostic tools such as pure-tone audiometry to evaluate the children’s hearing abilities.3 Dental health was measured using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) indices, as well as plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI).
POSITIVE CORRELATION
The study, which showed that the subjects had poor oral health due to numerous factors, revealed a significant positive correlation between the severity of hearing impairment in children and both PI and GI scores. This indicates that as the severity of the children’s hearing impairment increased, there was a corresponding increase in the amount of plaque buildup on their teeth, making them more prone to gingivitis.
The researchers noted that, in addition to communication challenges, these children faced some physical challenges, such as postural and motor control, that could hamper good oral health practices.
The research reflects a need for specialized dental providers experienced in caring for kids with special needs. It also suggests the need for promoting early detection, developing intervention strategies, and supporting educational programs for optimal health outcomes in hearing impaired kids.
REFERENCES
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, and Dizziness.
- Cannobbio VC, Cartes-Velásquez R, McKee M.Oral health and dental care in deaf and hard of hearing population: a scoping review. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2020;18:417-425
- Ghannam AN, Nahas L, Dashash M. Exploring the link between oral health factors and hearing impairments in children: a cross-sectional study.