Identifying and treating complex hearing differences in pediatric patients |
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Complex hearing differences in pediatric patients that may lead to advanced hearing surgery such as bone conduction osseointegrated implantation or cochlear implantation sometimes begin as simple cases. “Sometimes you can’t predict which path a child’s hearing will take,” said Abby Meyer, MD, MPH, senior medical director of surgical specialties and pediatric otolaryngologist with Children’s Minnesota.
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As the only pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) and facial plastic surgery program in the state dedicated exclusively to kids with disorders of the head and neck, Children’s Minnesota sees a high volume of cases involving hearing differences. “So, when a case does shift from simple to complicated, we have a great deal of experience collaborating with referring providers and their patient families to help them through what can be an overwhelming transition,” said Dr. Meyer.
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When to refer a patient
Dr. Meyer identified several symptoms that could call for referral:
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- Any parental concern about hearing or speech development.
- Children with hearing differences who aren’t progressing with speech development as expected despite intervention.
- Cases where an outside audiologist has intervened appropriately, but the child is still struggling.
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“Kids sometimes compensate for hearing difficulties, which can make it hard to detect when they’re struggling,” said Dr. Meyer.
The ENT and facial plastic surgery program at Children’s Minnesota offers diagnostic and treatment capabilities for complex hearing cases, including low-radiation CT scanners designed for pediatric use, the ability to perform MRIs on infants without sedation and access to genetics services. Children’s Minnesota has five complex ear surgeons on staff who perform cochlear implantation surgery as young as 6-7 months of age and bone conduction implantation surgery as young as 5 years of age.
Learn more about ENT and facial plastic surgery program. To refer a patient, please contact Children’s Minnesota Physician Access at 866-755-2121.
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Cardiovascular intensive care unit receives coveted national award for excellence |
The Children’s Minnesota cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) was awarded a silver-level Beacon Award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for providing high-quality patient care in a healthy work environment. It is the only pediatric CVICU in the state to receive the award and the second time Children’s Minnesota has earned the honor.
The Beacon Award highlights caregivers with a consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care, and whose unit and hospital culture lend themselves to excellent outcomes. Eligibility is based on patient outcomes, work environment and nursing workforce.
Among its achievements, the CVICU was recognized for having fewer hospital-acquired conditions than average, creating biannual nursing education days and adding a second resource nurse when patient census requires it.
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Grand rounds recap: Kid experts detail social continence strategies for spina bifida patients |
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A recent Grand Rounds presentation by Stella Evans, MD, complex care pediatrician at Children’s Minnesota and medical director of the spina bifida clinic, and Teanna Nelson, occupational therapist at Children’s Minnesota, explained how healthcare clinicians can improve social confidence for spina bifida patients through social continence.
“Social continence is a critical developmental milestone and a key component of school readiness,” said Dr. Evans. “Incontinence causes medical complications. It limits participation, disrupts education and reduces quality of life at any age.”
Dr. Evans and Nelson explained:
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How social continence differs from standard continence.
- How a neurogenic bowel and bladder functions.
- Mechanisms of action of commonly used medications to support social continence.
- Basic concepts of interventions to achieve social continence.
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Strategies for healthcare professionals to employ to support individuals with spina bifida to address social continence.
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“There are lots of tools we can use from our toolkit,” said Nelson. “That’s important because things are going to change and ebb and flow because we want full participation in life.”
Watch the recorded session.
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Highlights from the Children’s Minnesota 2025 annual report |
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Children’s Minnesota recently released its 2025 annual report, highlighting numerous milestones and achievements from a momentous year. Among the 2025 accomplishments, Children’s Minnesota:
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Combined expert pediatric care and innovative technology to treat more than 174,000 children, making Children’s Minnesota one of the largest independent pediatric health systems in the country.
- Put kids first with compassionate, child-centric “wrap-around” services, treating kids with 25,411 encounters that included art, play and music therapy.
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Championed kids in the media and the state legislature, urging lawmakers to address gun violence as a public health crisis.
- Performed 24,754 surgical procedures and received 83,150 emergency department visits.
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Was recognized by Becker’s Healthcare for its exceptional cardiovascular care as the largest and most comprehensive pediatric heart program in the Upper Midwest.
- Installed a new president and CEO, Emily Chapman, MD, who succeeded longtime leader, Marc Gorelick, MD.
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Join us at the Twin Cities Pediatric Update, Sept. 17-18, 2026 | |
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Reserve your spot now for the 8th annual Twin Cities Pediatric Update, hosted by Children’s Minnesota, the University of Minnesota Department of Pediatrics, and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MNAAP).
This in-person only, two-day conference features two keynote speakers and more than 20 educational sessions to update you on trending topics and recent advances in pediatrics that are most important to your practice.
Keynote speaker announced:
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Susan Kressly, MD, FAAP, will present “Championing Child Health in Challenging Times.” A general pediatrician and clinical informaticist, Dr. Kressly’s career includes championing pediatric health information technology, and working with pediatricians across the country to optimize care delivery, quality, payment and value. She is the 2026 Immediate Past President of the AAP.
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Logistics
The Twin Cities Pediatric Update will take place at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest Hotel & Conference Center in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Presentations will not be recorded for viewing post-course. Completion of the evaluation is required to claim course credit.
In lieu of a virtual option, new this year, participants will be able to select a one-day or two-day option to attend the conference when you register.
Register today.
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| Hear from a kid expert
Healthcare organizations and other allied health professionals can hear directly from Children’s Minnesota’s physicians and other providers about the latest in pediatric research, clinical procedures and innovations, and more through our Kid Experts On Demand program. To get started, submit a request.
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Share the knowledge
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Children’s Minnesota Physician Access |
24/7 access to referrals, consults and admissions.
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