Congenital hearing loss

Congenital hearing loss
Specialty	Otolaryngology
Symptoms	Hearing loss present at birth
Complications	Speech delay, language development issues
Usual onset	Birth
Duration	Lifelong
Causes	Genetic factors, prenatal infections, birth complications
Risk factors	Family history, maternal infections during pregnancy
Diagnostic method	Newborn hearing screening, audiometry
Treatment	Hearing aids, cochlear implants, speech therapy
Frequency	1 to 3 per 1,000 live births

Congenital hearing loss refers to hearing loss that is present at birth. It can be caused by genetic factors, environmental influences, or a combination of both. This condition can significantly impact a child's ability to develop speech and language skills, making early detection and intervention crucial.

Causes

Congenital hearing loss can be attributed to several factors:

• Genetic causes: Approximately 50-60% of congenital hearing loss cases are due to genetic factors. These can be syndromic, where hearing loss is associated with other symptoms, or non-syndromic, where hearing loss is the only symptom.
• Environmental causes: These include prenatal infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), rubella, and syphilis. Other factors include complications during birth, such as hypoxia or premature birth.
• Unknown causes: In some cases, the cause of congenital hearing loss remains unidentified.

Diagnosis

Early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss is essential for effective management. The following methods are commonly used:

• Newborn hearing screening: This is typically performed before a newborn leaves the hospital. It involves tests such as otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR).
• Audiometry: For older infants and children, behavioral audiometry can be used to assess hearing ability.

Treatment

The management of congenital hearing loss depends on the severity and cause of the condition. Treatment options include:

• Hearing aids: These devices amplify sound and are suitable for children with mild to moderate hearing loss.
• Cochlear implants: For children with severe to profound hearing loss, cochlear implants can provide a sense of sound by directly stimulating the auditory nerve.
• Speech therapy: This helps children develop communication skills and is often used in conjunction with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Prognosis

With early intervention, children with congenital hearing loss can develop language skills comparable to their hearing peers. The prognosis depends on the timing of intervention, the severity of hearing loss, and the presence of any additional disabilities.

Also see

• Hearing loss
• Otolaryngology
• Cochlear implant
• Speech therapy
• Genetic disorders