Congenital hearing loss
With the support of their parents and today's knowledge, children with congenitial hearing loss can participate in life’s soundscapes.
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High risk indicators of hearing loss
There are conditions which may affect a child’s ability to hear. Outlined below are factors indicating that a child is at risk for a hearing loss. If you are unsure about any of these conditions or are worried about your child’s hearing, consult a medical practitioner or audiologist.
Newborns - Birth to 28 Days
- Failure of newborn hearing screening
- Family history of hereditary childhood sensorineural hearing loss
- In utero infection, such as cytomegalovirus, rubella, syphilis, herpes and toxoplasmosis
- Craniofacial deformities including those affecting the pinna and ear canal
- Birth weight less than 1500 grams (approx. 3,5 pounds)
- Hyperbilirubinemia at a serum level requiring transfusion (jaundice)
- Ototoxic medications (medicines that can damage hearing), including aminoglycosides (some antibiotics e.g. Gentamicin) used in multiple courses or in combination with loop diuretics
- Bacterial meningitis
- Apgar (general health) scores of 0–4 at 1 minute or 0–6 at 5 minutes after birth
- Mechanical ventilation lasting 5 days or longer
- Findings associated with syndromes known to include sensorineural hearing loss
Infants - 29 Days to 2 Years
- Concern regarding communication or developmental delay
- Bacterial meningitis or other infections known to cause sensorineural hearing loss
- Head trauma associated with loss of consciousness or skull fracture
- Ototoxic medications including chemotherapeutic agents or aminoglycosides used in combination with loop diuretics
- Findings associated with a syndrome known to include sensorineural hearing loss
- Otitis media with effusion (fluid) for three months or longer
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