Two to three children out of 1,000 are born deaf or hard of hearing in the United States, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Even more develop hearing loss as they get older. Partial or complete deafness has profound effects on a baby's ability to learn language and communication skills. Knowing the signs and getting an early diagnosis can help your child get a head start on these challenges.
Signs
Signs of deafness in babies varies depending on their age. Failure to react to loud noises, to toys that make sounds or to music are signs of hearing loss in babies under six months. Infants who don't react to their caregiver's voice may not be able to hear. Infants and toddlers between the ages of 7 months and 2 years should also be making a variety of sounds and imitating language they hear; failure to meet such language milestones is a sign that they may be unable to hear.
Causes
Total or partial deafness in babies typically involves conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss -- caused by outer- or middle-ear issues -- can potentially be resolved through medical treatment. Ear infections and wax accumulation are two culprits in this form of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss, however, involves the inner ear and can't be reversed. Structural defects in the ear, maternal illness during pregnancy, genetic conditions and infections after birth are possible causes of sensorineural hearing loss. Some babies have a combination of conductive and sensorineural deafness.
Screening and Diagnosis
The vast majority of newborns in the United States have their hearing evaluated shortly after birth. It's vital that babies have their hearing evaluated early because the first three years of life are the most vital for language development. These screenings evaluate babies' auditory nerve and ear function.
Partial or total deafness, however, may not be apparent in newborns. If you notice signs of hearing loss in your baby, consult a physician. Imaging techniques are used to evaluate the ear structures; lab tests can also identify medical problems that are possibly involved. You may need to take your baby for consultations with an otolaryngologist -- an ear, nose and throat doctor -- and an audiologist.
Dealing with Hearing Loss
Treatments for deafness in babies depend on the cause of the hearing loss. Medications and surgery help combat conductive hearing loss. With sensorineural hearing loss, the focus is on improving language development and gaining some level of hearing. Hearing aids increase loudness and are used in children with minimal or significant hearing loss. Cochlear implants are complex devices that not only enhance sounds but also process them for transmission to the auditory nerve. These are normally recommended only for severe cases. As our child gets older, using sign language and other hearing enhancers can help her succeed both in the classroom and socially.
References
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communcation Disorders; Your Baby's Hearing and Communicative Development Checklist; September 2010
- MedlinePlus: Hearing Loss -- Infants
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; It's Important to Have Your Baby's Hearing Screened; May 2011
- University of Rochester Medical Center: Hearing Loss in Children
