Each year, about 12,000 infants are born with hearing loss, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Early detection and intervention for hearing loss is crucial for infants as hearing impairments can affect speech development, language and social skills.
Here are five things all parents need to know about infant hearing loss:
- There are a few causes for infant hearing loss. Genetic makeup is one of the most common reasons for infant hearing loss. Other causes include: maternal infections during pregnancy, complications after birth, head trauma and children born with syndromes that affect hearing, such as Pendred syndrome or Usher syndrome.
- Most hospitals screen for hearing after birth. Before a newborn is sent home from the hospital, most receive hearing screenings that can identify defects.
- Infants’ hearing must be screened within one month of being born. The CDC recommends this timeframe in order to address any issues quickly.
- If an infant fails his/her hearing screening, it’s important to schedule a full hearing test as soon as possible. The hearing test must occur within three months of age, per CDC recommendations.
- Symptoms of infant hearing loss:
- Loud noises do not startle the baby
- After six months old, the baby does not turn toward the source of sound
- By age one, the child does not say single words like “dada” or “mama”
- The baby does not turn his/her head when you call his/her name
- The child does not seem to hear all sounds
If your child has been diagnosed with hearing loss or you see signs of potential hearing impairments, the Pennsylvania Ear Institute can help.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with a pediatric audiologist