Audiology
Conditions We Treat
Types and Causes of Hearing Loss in Children
There are two primary categories of hearing loss in children:
- Congenital - hearing loss present at birth
- Acquired - hearing loss that occurs after birth
These hearing losses may be sensorineural, conductive, or mixed.
Congenital Hearing Loss
Possible causes of congenital hearing loss include:
- Infections during pregnancy (i.e., German measles, toxoplasmosis and cytomegolavirus).
- Ototoxic medication used during pregnancy
- Birth complications:
- Serious infection present at birth (i.e., toxoplasmosis, herpes)
- Rubella or cytomegolavirus
- Baby required neonatal intensive care
- Birth weight under 3 lbs.
- Abnormalities of baby's head, face or ears
- Baby required blood transfusion
- Premature infant treated with drugs for respiratory life-sustaining measures
- Disorders of the brain or nervous system
- Genetic syndromes, such as Ushers, Down's, and Waardenburg's syndromes
- Family history of hearing loss
Acquired Hearing Loss
Possible causes of acquired hearing loss include:
- Untreated middle-ear infections
- Infections, such as meningitis, mumps, measles, or whooping cough
- Perforation of the eardrum
- Excessive noise from sources such as toys, fireworks, or loud music
- Diseases such as otosclerosis or Ménière's disease
- Serious head injury
- Ototoxic medication
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