Which history item does NOT indicate an increased risk for hearing impairment in a 7-year-old?

Which history item does NOT indicate an increased risk for hearing impairment in a 7-year-old?

• A. Treatment with ingestion of cisplatin
• B. Apgar score of 7 at one minute after birth
• C. Family history of neurofibromatosis type II
• D. Treatment with aminoglycosides

Answer: (B)

Some history items indicate higher risk for hearing loss because they involve exposures or conditions known to damage the auditory system, especially sensorineural pathways. Cisplatin is a well-established ototoxic drug that damages cochlear hair cells, leading to dose-related hearing loss, often starting at higher frequencies. Aminoglycosides are another class of ototoxic medications that harm hair cells and can cause irreversible SNHL, with risk influenced by dose and duration. A family history of neurofibromatosis type II points to a genetic condition that predisposes to vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas), which can impair hearing over time as the tumor affects the auditory nerve. In contrast, an Apgar score of seven at one minute after birth reflects the newborn’s immediate condition postpartum and does not predict future hearing impairment. While it provides a snapshot of perinatal well-being, it is not a risk factor for later cochlear or auditory nerve damage. Therefore, the history item that does not indicate increased risk for hearing impairment is the Apgar score of seven at one minute.

Some history items indicate higher risk for hearing loss because they involve exposures or conditions known to damage the auditory system, especially sensorineural pathways. Cisplatin is a well-established ototoxic drug that damages cochlear hair cells, leading to dose-related hearing loss, often starting at higher frequencies. Aminoglycosides are another class of ototoxic medications that harm hair cells and can cause irreversible SNHL, with risk influenced by dose and duration. A family history of neurofibromatosis type II points to a genetic condition that predisposes to vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas), which can impair hearing over time as the tumor affects the auditory nerve.

In contrast, an Apgar score of seven at one minute after birth reflects the newborn’s immediate condition postpartum and does not predict future hearing impairment. While it provides a snapshot of perinatal well-being, it is not a risk factor for later cochlear or auditory nerve damage. Therefore, the history item that does not indicate increased risk for hearing impairment is the Apgar score of seven at one minute.