children s health issues
Hearing Impairment in Children
Causes
Themost common causes of hearing impairment in newbornsare Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Newborns None Overview of Chromosome and Gene Disorders None When a baby is infected with CMV in the uterus, it is called Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Newborns . Congenital CMV infection is the most common congenital viral infection in the United States. Infected newborns can be born with hearing loss and many other problems. Hearing loss can also develop later in children who were infected immediately before, during, or shortly after birth. Genetic defects are also common causes. Some genetic defects cause hearing loss that is evident at birth. Other genetic defects cause hearing loss that develops over time. Themost common causes of hearing impairment in infants and older childrenare Overview of Middle Ear Infections in Young Children and Ear Blockages None In older children, other causes include Overview of Head Injuries , loud noise (including loud music), Newborns Low birth weight (especially less than 3.3 pounds, or 1.5 kilograms) Low Apgar Score (lower than 5 at 1 minute after birth or lower than 7 at 5 minutes after birth) Low blood oxygen levels or Seizures in Children resulting from a difficult delivery Infection before birth with Rubella in Newborns , Abnormalities in the skull or face, especially those involving the outer ear and ear canal (see Developmental Abnormalities of the Outer Ear ) A high level of bilirubin (a waste product) in the blood ( see Jaundice in the Newborn ) Bacterial meningitis ( see Meningitis in Children ) Bloodstream infection ( Sepsis in Newborns ) Use of a Mechanical Ventilation (a machine that helps air get in and out of the lungs) for a long time Ear Disorders Caused by Drugs , such as aminoglycoside antibiotics and some diuretics History of early hearing loss in a parent or close relative Older children All the above, plus the following: A Overview of Head Injuries with a Chronic Middle Ear Infection in Children or a cholesteatoma Some neurologic disorders, such as Neurofibromatosis and neurodegenerative disorders (such as Hunter syndrome) Exposure to noise at high levels or for long periods Eardrum Perforation due to infection or injury If children sometimes seem to ignore people who are talking to them, their hearing may be impaired and should be evaluated. 