Causes and Risk Factors
Hearing loss can happen any time during life – from before birth to adulthood. 1 out of 4 cases of hearing loss in babies is due to
maternal infections during pregnancy, complications after birth, and head trauma
. For example, the child: Was exposed to infection, such as , before birth.
Do babies with hearing loss cry?
Even if you baby does have a mild hearing loss,
they will still be able to hear most or all the sounds in their own voice
when they cry or babble.
What medications cause hearing loss in newborns?
Medications that are known to be ototoxic (damaging to hearing) are sometimes prescribed to babies to treat serious infections or birth complications. The most common ototoxic medications are a family of antibiotics called aminoglycosides, with names such as
gentamycin, tobramycin, kanamycin, and streptomycin
.
What are three causes of deafness in infants?
- Birth defects that cause changes in the structure of the ear canal or middle ear.
- Buildup of ear wax.
- Buildup of fluid behind the eardrum.
- Injury to or rupture of the eardrum.
- Objects stuck in the ear canal.
- Scar on the eardrum from many infections.
Can babies hearing improve?
Of these, 24 infants (34%) demonstrated hearing threshold improvements of more than 20 dB, and eight of them recovered to normal hearing.
What are the signs of deafness in babies?
- Not being startled by loud sounds.
- Not turning toward a sound after he's 6 months old.
- Not saying single words like “mama” or “dada” by the time he's 1 year old.
- Turns his head if he sees you, but not if you only call out his name.
- Seems to hear some sounds but not others.
How do you treat hearing loss in babies?
- Cochlear implants (in case of profound sensorineural hearing loss)
- Medications for infections.
- Ear tubes for repeated ear infections.
- Ear Surgery to correct structural defects.
How can I improve my baby's hearing?
Keep your baby nearby as you rattle pans while making dinner, and let him or her sit in a baby seat within earshot of older siblings laughing and playing.
Baby rattles and musical mobiles
are other good ways to stimulate your baby's hearing.
Why did my baby failed his hearing test?
Babies can fail the newborn hearing screening
due to vernix in the ear canal, fluid in the middle ear
, or because of movement or crying during the test. However, since a few babies actually do have hearing loss, it is very important that you go to your follow-up appointment for a confirmatory test.
Is it common for newborn to fail hearing test?
About 1 or 2 in every 100 babies will not pass
the initial hearing screening at birth and will need tests with an audiologist who has experience working with babies. This testing should include a more thorough hearing and medical evaluation.
At what age do babies turn to sound?
By 3 or 4 months of
age, babies are usually able to turn their heads toward a sound. Head turning helps to strengthen weak neck muscles and stretch tight muscles. Here are some tips to urge your baby to turn his or her head: t From about 6 weeks to 3 months: Enjoy close face-to-face “conversations” with your baby.
How accurate are hearing tests on newborns?
2-10% of all babies in the U.S. fail
their first hearing screening and less than 1% will have permanent hearing loss. Babies with normal hearing can fail the newborn hearing screening due to: Vernix (a waxy coating on a newborn's skin) in the ear canal. Fluid in the middle ear.
Can loud noise damage baby's ears?
A baby's hearing is
very sensitive and can be easily damaged by loud sounds
. A baby's ear canals are much smaller than an adult. When sounds enter the canal they become louder. Noisy toys and games can cause hearing damage.
Do deaf babies make sounds?
Even deaf babies can coo and make gurgling sounds
. If you're not sure whether your baby has been tested, contact your hospital to check her records.
How are newborns hearing tested?
A baby's hearing can be screened using
Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR), Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
, or both. Babies usually have their hearing screened while still in the hospital, either in the nursery or in their mothers' room.
