Learn About Congenital Hearing Loss Treatment!

Congenital hearing loss is the condition that is present since birth. Most of the cases of hearing loss among patients are due to hereditary or genetic reasons. Both of them fall under the congenital category.

It can be difficult to determine which factor is responsible for causing the hearing loss. However, if the condition is treated early on then the situation may not worsen in the future.

Causes of congenital hearing loss

Non-hereditary causes

The first non-hereditary cause is teratogenic drugs. This class of drugs is capable of causing damage to the development of the fetus. Maternal exposure to these types of medications in the early stages of fetus’s development can lead to birth defects.

The other reason is viral infections. If the mother is affected by certain infections such as Rubella and Syphilis, it can cause a severe effect on the unborn child. These infections can cause mild to profound hearing impairment.

Hereditary causes

These causes are due to heredity or transmission of genetic information that leads to hearing loss. In that case, the parent may be fine, but a gene that he or she is carrying may cause the issue.

The genetic syndromes that can cause hearing impairment include – 

• Down syndrome

• Alport syndrome

• Usher syndrome

• Treacher Collins syndrome

• Waardenburg syndrome

• Crouzon syndrome

Treatment

If your child has hearing difficulties, take him to a paediatric audiologist. After the initial diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment for hearing loss/impairment. The most common treatment methods for congenital hearing loss are – 

• Hearing aids

Hearing aids help children with profound hearing loss hear clearly again. Advanced solutions have special covering so that young children do not remove or misplace them. Behind-the-ear hearing devices and aids inside the ear canal are popular.

• Hearing implants

Hearing implants or cochlear implants are surgically positioned to stimulate the auditory nerve inside the inner portion of the kid’s ear. This is done by electrical stimulation. These have external devices that are kid-friendly. A soft headband can hold these together. These are used when hearing aids do not work well with children.

• Assistive devices for learning

Assistive learning system like FM devices is used in a classroom setting to help the children who already have a hearing aid or cochlear implant. This technology helps children hear properly where the background noise is too much.

In this process, the teacher or instructor wears the discreet microphone in front of him or her. The technology helps them to transmit their voice directly to the kid’s implant or hearing aid.

• Speech therapy

The children whose hearing issues have affected their speech may require speech therapy after getting a hearing aid or cochlear implant. This will help them improve their speech delays and related problems.

Children can show early symptoms of hearing loss, like watching TV with a high volume, having problems talking over the phone or has frequent earaches. In that case, consult a doctor immediately.