What’s congenital hearing loss?

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Hearing loss that is present at birth is known as congenital hearing loss. Also known as congenital sensorineural hearing loss, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to the development of this condition. There is no cure for congenital hearing loss, and treatment depends on its cause and severity. Early diagnosis is best for establishing early education and therapy.

A number of factors during pregnancy can contribute to congenital hearing loss. Exposure to German measles, known as rubella, can lead to nerve damage in the fetus’s inner ear canal, resulting in hearing loss. Exposure of the fetus to toxic chemicals, such as those from drug and alcohol use, increases the risk of congenital deafness. Excessive doses of vitamin A during pregnancy have also been linked to the development of birth defects, including hearing loss.

Hereditary conditions, such as albinism and Hurler syndrome, can contribute to hearing loss. Couples with a family history of deafness are at an increased risk of conceiving a child with hearing loss. The most common factors contributing to the development of hearing loss occur during the birth process. Infections, such as bacterial meningitis or head injuries sustained during labor and delivery, can cause damage to the inner ear. Newborns who are deprived of oxygen during delivery have a higher risk of being deaf.

A diagnosis of congenital hearing loss is often made when a child fails to reach specific developmental milestones. A lack of response to normal sounds, such as voices or clapping, or an inability to speak can be indicative of hearing loss. When a child is not responding as it should, further tests are needed to confirm hearing loss. A doctor generally examines the child to determine if there are any structural problems within the ear or genetic alterations that could be contributing to the child’s condition. Further tests are used to determine the extent of deafness.

An auditory brainstem response (ABSR) test involves the use of electrode patches to assess how well the auditory nerve is responding to sound. An otoacoustic emission (OAE) test uses microphones to test a child’s cochlea, which normally receives and emits low-frequency sounds. The microphones pick up nearby sounds that should resonate inside the baby’s ear canal. Lack of echo is indicative of hearing loss.

Treatment for congenital hearing loss depends on your child’s health and the reason for the hearing loss. Common treatment regimens include speech therapy, introduction of hearing aids, and learning sign language. The use of special education and speech therapy is essential for your child’s early speech development. The degree of hearing loss in a child determines the type of hearing aid used. In some cases, an electronic device, called a cochlear implant, can be used to give the child a sense of the sounds in his environment and aid in language development.
Complications associated with congenital hearing loss include delayed communication development and related emotional impact. Children who experience a delay in their ability to communicate may experience delayed social development, such as the ability to make friends, and academic difficulties, such as falling behind in school. If a child’s hearing loss is the result of an underlying condition, complications associated with that specific condition may occur alongside those associated with the hearing loss.

Preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk of congenital hearing loss. Women who are anticipating pregnancy should make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking any medications or supplements. Activities that could expose the fetus to dangerous toxins or infections should be avoided. The prognosis for a child born with congenital hearing loss depends on the cause and severity of the hearing loss.

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