According to the CDC, hearing loss occurs in 1.4 out of every 1,000 newborns and in 5 out of every 1,000 children aged 3 – 17. And, unfortunately, the prevalence of hearing loss in youth is on the rise. With the increased use of devices such as smart phones, MP3 players, and video game consoles, often combined with earbuds or headphones, young ears are exposed to greater decibels of sound and more frequently than ever before.
So, whether your child is a newborn, toddler, or teen, it is important to understand that hearing loss is a possibility. Here are the three main forms and how each may occur:
Congenital hearing loss is a condition that is present from birth. Within the first 24 to 48 hours of a baby’s life, they will be administered a hearing screening. Should they fail this screening, a follow-up will be scheduled to take place within a few weeks, and from there, you will begin to determine the exact nature of hearing loss and any appropriate next steps.
Congenital hearing loss generally falls into one of two categories: non-genetic (about 25% of cases) and genetic (over 50% of cases). Causes of non-genetic hearing loss may include:
Genetic causes of hearing loss may be:
Just as it sounds, acquired hearing loss occurs after birth due to outside factors. This type of hearing loss can occur at any age. Some of the causes include:
Not all forms of hearing loss are permanent. Transient hearing loss is temporary hearing loss that will likely eventually resolve on its own, although medical intervention in the form of medications is often still recommended. Young children are more prone to develop this form of hearing loss due to middle ear infections than others, and as a result, problems with speech and language development can occur. To help prevent such complications, it is recommended that each case of otitis media be monitored and treated by a physician.
Suspecting hearing loss in your child can be a frightening prospect. Fortunately, from medications to cochlear implants to hearing aids, there are a growing number of treatment options available. As a parent, you simply need to be aware of the signs and potential causes, and have your child seen for testing with a skilled audiologist should a problem ever be suspected.
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