Hearing loss can be congenital, occurring prior to birth, or acquired, as the result of an illness during childhood.

Common Causes

Congenital

• Maternal rubella or ***cytomegalovirus (***the biggest silent culprit) infection during pregnancy
• Genetic deafness can be autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant
• Associated syndromes, for example Down’s syndrome

Perinatal

• Prematurity
• Hypoxia during or after birth

After birth

• Jaundice - bilirubin can cross the BBB and cause damage to the cochlear
• Meningitis and encephalitis
• Otitis media or glue ear
• Chemotherapy

PC

The UK newborn hearing screening programme (NHSP) tests hearing in all neonates. This involves special equipment that delivers sound to each eardrum individually and checks for a response from the outer hair cells. This can identify congenital hearing problems early. They are cotside and minimally invasive.

Children with hearing difficulties may present with parental concerns about hearing or with behavioural changes associated with not being able to hear:

• Ignoring calls or sounds