Incidence of Hyperacusis in Pediatrics Facial Paralysis

Abstract

Background: Facial nerve is motor in nature and it supplied facial muscles as well as ear muscle named stapedius, any lesion throughout in the pathway from brain to muscle can cause difficulty in production of expression, dribbling of saliva, difficulty in closure of eyes and also hyperacusis. Sensory supply to tongue is also affected and can cause loss of taste sensation. Objective: To enlightens the importance of one of the symptom of facial paralysis that is hyperacusis. Methodology: A non randomized, single center hospital based observational study design was conducted with sample of 50 patients with diagnosis of facial paralysis, under the age 18 years at Department of physiotherapy and neurology, Children hospital and Institute of Child health (CH & ICH) Lahore from December 2011 to February 2012. Results: It is showed in results that 78% patient had problem of hyperacusis,about 54% patient presented with dropping of eyelid,42% had taste sensation lost ,88% had problem of dribbling of saliva,34% presented with twitching of face and 90% showed problem in smiling. Conclusion: Hyperacusis is present in patients of facial palsy so it is necessary to have keen observation for these symptoms also so we can treat these symptoms along with others. Keywords: Hyperacusis, Facial Paralysis, Stapedius.