Learn more about congenital hearing loss. Learn the Prevalence, Signs, and Symptoms. Discover how to diagnose and treat the problem. Learn about the causes of hearing loss and how to prevent further damage. Read on to learn how to treat congenital hearing loss. You can prevent further hearing loss and delay speech and language development with proper hearing care. After learning the signs and symptoms of congenital hearing loss, you can choose the best treatment.
Prevalence of congenital hearing loss
The prevalence of congenital hearing loss varies between countries. In Norway, the prevalence is 1.0 to 1.6 per thousand newborns. In addition to identifying congenital hearing loss, newborns must undergo a series of tests, including those for Folling's disease and hypothyreosis. These tests also include a test for otoacoustic emissions (OAE), which is being introduced by European audiologists since 1998.
In developed countries, it is estimated that 1 in every thousand babies has some degree of hearing loss. In Norway, up to 60 percent of congenital hearing loss has a genetic cause. In this population, most cases of nonsyndromic acoustic conductive hearing loss result from mutations in the GJB2 gene, which codes for the protein connexin 26. This mutation has a role in language development, according to Morzaria.
The high prevalence of congenital hearing loss makes it important to conduct newborn hearing screenings at birth. Research suggests that even seemingly healthy babies may have hearing problems, so it is critical to screen every infant. In addition, healthcare systems should institute best practices for newborn screenings and early intervention for hearing problems. Further, newborn hearing screening is important for identifying children with hearing problems at an early age. The cost of newborn hearing screenings varies across countries, so it's important to determine which one is right for your family.
A majority of cases of congenital hearing loss can be prevented. In the United States, universal newborn screenings detect about 86 cases out of every 100,000 babies, which is nearly double the rate of targeted screening. However, these screenings are associated with 320 false positive referrals and 21% positive predictive values compared to 76% for targeted screening. Overall, universal screenings would cost approximately $24,000 more per case, in the short term.
Signs and symptoms
Many babies born with congenital hearing loss have no obvious cause and can be treated with medicines. However, other causes, such as infections, can cause the same condition. Several infections can lead to hearing problems, including rubella and herpes simplex virus. A newborn with congenital hearing loss may have difficulty hearing, but there are other symptoms, including swollen glands, headache, fatigue, and fever.
Several learning and behavioral problems can also be a sign of hearing loss. Children with this condition may have trouble replying to name calls, turning up the television volume, or watching faces intently. Hearing loss can also result in speech delays or academic problems, as well as imitating the actions of others. In some cases, a diagnosis is not made until the child reaches a certain age, so early detection is essential.
Other causes of congenital hearing loss include maternal disease and perinatal illnesses. Exposure to recreational drugs and environmental toxins during pregnancy can cause hearing impairment. Mothers who smoke are at greater risk of having babies with congenital hearing loss. Drugs and alcohol can also harm the auditory nerve and central auditory processing. Some cases are inherited, such as in a child with an autoimmune disease. However, sudden loss of hearing can be caused by a number of different things, including a vascular event or a thrombosis.
Diagnosing congenital hearing loss is not always simple, especially when the condition is mild. Early detection is crucial in the treatment of this condition and can help prevent delays in learning, communication, and adjusting to the world. Visiting a healthcare provider to discuss any concerns you have about hearing loss is an important part of early detection. There are many different types of hearing loss, so it is important to be familiar with each one and learn about the available options.
Genetics is the most common cause of congenital hearing loss, although it can also be caused by environmental factors. Vaccination and awareness of pregnancy effects are effective ways to prevent hearing loss in pregnant women. Also, early diagnosis and treatment of jaundice are essential. Specific screening tests are necessary for newborns with congenital hearing loss. Babies born in hospitals are screened within a few days after birth.
Diagnosis
During childhood, a newborn may be diagnosed with congenital hearing loss. A complete audiological evaluation, including history and physical examination, is necessary to determine the underlying cause. Some cases may be caused by non-genetic factors such as prematurity or NICU stays. Treatment may include hearing aid amplification or cochlear implantation. If genetics play no part in the cause of the hearing loss, early intervention may be necessary to prevent further delays in speech and language development.
A newborn's physical examination should reveal any anatomical causes of conductive hearing loss. Malformations of the Eustachian tube should raise suspicion for effusion. A physical examination will also help guide the workup for syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. For a correct diagnosis, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. There are over 400 syndromes associated with congenital hearing loss. Many have complex phenotypes.
While routine electrocardiograms have low diagnostic yield, they can sometimes be life-saving in cases of Lange-Nielsen syndrome or Jervell syndrome. The lead author of this study evaluated public and private health care services in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Further, she examined the quality of the private health care system. If the private health care provider provides higher-quality services, that's an even better outcome.
The most common causes for delayed identification of congenital hearing loss include maternal age and maternal education. In a study, mothers with higher education were more likely to be diagnosed with DHI at a younger age than those with less education. However, infants with less education were twice as likely to develop language delays than those with college degrees. A doctor's diagnosis of DHI should begin before the child is two years old.
Treatment
Early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hearing loss are essential for a successful outcome. Several factors can lead to delayed diagnosis, including cultural considerations, uncertainty about the severity of hearing loss, and technical or practical factors. In the short term, early treatment can facilitate social development and promote communication. A genetic diagnosis can help determine the patient's lifetime risk for hearing loss, which may help with family planning. This document outlines the goals of early detection and treatment.
Some treatment procedures are based on the age and personality of the child affected. Others are generalized and can be used for all children with congenital hearing loss. For example, a hearing aid can help children with hearing loss understand symbols and words, and in some cases, an implant is recommended. For more severe cases, a cochlear implant may be recommended. While the treatment process for congenital hearing loss may vary widely, the best results are usually seen with early diagnosis.
Genetics is a leading cause of congenital hearing loss. Affected individuals can inherit mutations that alter any part of the hearing pathway, including mechano-electric transduction, which converts mechanical stimuli into electrical activity. An increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying congenital hearing loss will aid in the development of new treatments and preventive measures. The increased awareness of genetic counseling and testing will help prevent future hearing loss and make treatment more efficient.
A neonatal screening program will allow physicians to detect a child's hearing problems before they are impacted by developmental delays. The early intervention prevents delays in language and speech development, which in turn can affect social and emotional development. It is also important to identify the underlying etiology, as a genetic disease or congenital infection can lead to hearing loss later in life. If the underlying cause is inherited, treatment may be based on family history and a child's family history.
In most developed countries, newborn hearing screening programs are available and aim to screen all infants within a month of birth. Early diagnosis is essential for improved developmental outcomes, as hearing loss is progressive. Moreover, hearing loss often gets worse over time, so periodic screenings at regular intervals are advised. In addition to the screening, medical treatment of congenital hearing loss will depend on the type of hearing impairment. Typically, medical treatment for this condition focuses on treating the underlying causes and providing an optimal outcome for the child.
