Loss of hearing refers to a problem that is typically associated with the parts of the ears – inner, middle, and outer ears, or sometimes, the nerves required for clear hearing. However, loss of hearing is relatively common in children these days. To estimate, about 2% of children face difficulty while hearing. And, when it comes to permanent hearing loss, almost 1 out of 1000 children is screened for the treatment of hearing loss every year in our country. However, not recognizing trouble hearing in children at the right time, can hamper a child’s ability to speak and understand languages for a lifetime. Therefore, it may lead to failure in schools, social isolation, mockery, and the emotional downfall of a child. Considering these in the mind, the Best ENT Doctor in Kolkata has penned down everything about children’s hearing loss that every parent should be aware of.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Children’s Hearing Loss?

To discuss the potential causes of hearing loss in children, let’s divide the children’s age group into two main parts – new-born babies, and infants (older children).

Common reasons for hearing loss in newborn babies –

• Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infections:

Congenital Cytomegalovirus infects a baby’s uterus in its mother’s womb. Babies infected by this virus usually take birth with permanent hearing loss and other serious complications. Besides, hearing loss can occur to a baby later on if the baby gets infected by the virus during or just before taking birth.

• Genetic Defects:

Genetic defects are the most common reason for hearing loss in children. Some newborn babies take birth with a problem with hearing. While some gradually develop the issue with the passage of time.

Common causes of hearing loss in infants (older children) –

• Ear infections:

Ear infections can take place in older children for a number of reasons – the effects of bacteria or viruses in the middle ears, the accumulation of water in the ears, etc. Anyway, for any reason, if an ear infection occurs in an infant, it can hamper its ability to hear.

• Excessive wax build-up:

Wax build-up is quite natural for human beings. But when it turns out to be excessive, it may affect the ability to hear. Besides, when any foreign object or small particles get stuck in the ear, children can face loss of hearing if left untreated. Anyway, it is always recommended to see an ENT Specialist in Kolkata to clean wax build-up and other things from the ears.

What Are The Major Risk Factors For Hearing Loss?

Apart from the obvious reasons, there are some potential risk factors associated with loss of hearing in children –

Risk factors for new-born babies –

• Low birth weight of a baby (less than 1.5 kilograms)
• Lower oxygen level in the blood
• Infection before taking birth
• Abnormalities in the ears or ear canals
• Meningitis
• Use of some specific drugs that may damage hearing ability
• Family records of hearing loss

Risk factors for infants or older children –

• Any kind of head injury or fracture to the skull
• Chronic ear infections in the middle ears
• Exposure to loud noise for a long haul
• Neurologic disorder
• Injury to the ears

What Are The Major Types Of Children’s Hearing Loss?

When it comes to children’s loss of hearing, we can categorize it into 3 different parts –

1. Sensorineural loss of hearing:

This particular type of hearing loss involves certain issues in the inner ears and sometimes, it has some connection with the brain of a baby/child.

2. Conductive loss of hearing:

This type of hearing loss occurs in children when the middle and outer ears cannot send sound waves to the inner ears of a child.

3. Mixed loss of hearing:

As the name suggests, it is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive types of hearing loss. In this, damage takes place either to the outer and middle ears, or inner ears, the auditory nerve of a child.

In conclusion, we must say that it is the responsibility of parents to notice the inability of hearing in their babies or children. Remember that, early detection of hearing loss is treatable and it can improve the quality of hearing in children. So, if you are a parent and have gone through this blog, see an expert Pediatric ENT Consultant in Kolkata for your child soon.