Becoming a parent can be a wonderful and terrifying experience. Amidst all the joy and the cute baby socks, there are considerations regarding your new child’s well-being—including their audiology health. While it may feel like a lot to learn, taking it step-by-step can help you feel confident as you approach this new and amazing challenge in life. Let’s take a look at infant hearing loss to help you get off on the right foot.
Early Detection
In 2020, more than 98% of U.S. newborns were screened for hearing loss shortly after birth. While this early screening helps identify many cases, parents should also look out for a few signs that hearing loss has developed after birth, including:
- Not responding to loud sounds
- Not turning towards sounds after six months
- Language development delay
Common Causes of Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss causes are generally categorized as congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later). With infant hearing loss, the causes are most likely congenital and may include but are not limited to:
- Infections
- Prematurity
- Injuries acquired during birth
- Low birth weight
- Anoxia
- Maternal diabetes
- Drug or alcohol use during pregnancy
- High blood pressure during pregnancy
- Genetics
Genetic causes account for 50% of hearing loss cases and are separated into syndromic (down syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome etc.) or nonsyndromic (hearing loss passed on from one or both parents).
Types of Hearing Loss
The three types of hearing loss include conductive (blockage in the outer or middle ear), sensorineural (damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve) or mixed (a combination of conductive and sensorineural causes).
What Are Your Treatment Options?
Your child’s audiologist may recommend one or more of the following management options:
- Hearing aids. Your child can benefit from hearing aids within the first weeks or months after birth. The small devices manage mild to profound hearing loss by delivering amplified sounds directly to the ear.
- Cochlear implants. Surgically implanted cochlear implants bypass the damaged part of the ear and deliver sound to those with profound hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids.
- Speech therapy. Speech therapy can help your child’s communication skills. It is especially important to start speech therapy early on to prevent delays in language development where possible.
Finding out your child has hearing loss can be overwhelming and scary but remember that the specialists at LeMay Hearing & Balance are here to help you through it every step of the way.