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Kenna, Margaret A

Acquired Hearing Loss in Children

Hearing loss is the most common congenital sensory impairment, with an incidence of 4/
1000 live births. This number rises to approximately 20% after the age of 12 years for all
degrees and laterality of hearing loss.
The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that 50% of hearing loss is due to preventable
causes. These include preventable viruses, such as rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV);
low birth weight and other prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal complications; head injury;
ototoxicity; and noise.
Congenital CMV is the most common viral cause of congenital hearing loss. Early postnatal
identification of CMV can identify those who may benefit from medical treatment.
Hearing loss due to noise is increasingly common but preventable.
Head injuries, including concussion, can lead to both hearing loss and vestibular
dysfunction.

Subjects--Topical Terms:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Toxoplasmosis Meningitis Rubella Syphilis Noise Enlarged vestibular aqueduct Sudden sensorineural hearing loss