Vestibular function may be impacted by cochlear implantation in children with sever to profound hearing loss. This instructional course will highlight the importance of preoperative vestibular assessment in pediatric cohlear implant candidates, explore its implications for psychomotor developement, and review recent advances in cochlear implantation techniques, including robotic-assisted surgery, with a focus on vestibular preservation.

Pediatric vestibular medicine is a relatively new specialty, but has grown drastically in size and scope over the past couple of decades. Newer testing technologies have made testing feasible at progressively younger ages. Our understanding of the causes of vestibular symptoms in children and the role of vestibular testing in diagnosing them have also progressed significantly, allowing for better standardization and universalization of testing protocols. Vestibular testing may also play vital roles in determining candidacy for new therapies for pediatric hearing loss, such as cochlear implants for single sided deafness and gene therapy for congenital hearing loss. These advances make it essential for anybody caring for children with hearing loss in the modern era to have at least a basic understanding of the current indications, technologies, and approaches to vestibular testing in the pediatric age group. This symposium will be presented on behalf of the recently formed International Pediatric Balance Network (IBPN). It will include lectures and discussion from a group of pediatric vestibular specialists from around the world. Topics will include: 1.) “Remote Camera VHIT and the Advent of Newborn Vestibular Screening Programs”, 2.) “The Role of Vestibular Testing in Evaluating Pediatric Dizziness,” 3.) “Universal Guidelines for Pediatric Vestibular Testing in Congenital Hearing Loss,” and 4.) “New Roles of Vestibular Testing in Children: Single-Sided Deafness, Gene Therapy, and Beyond.” Attendees will learn about modern approaches to vestibular testing in children with and without hearing loss, as well as current and future indications for objective assessment of vestibular function in the pediatric population.