Table of ContentsTypes of Hearing Loss in ChildrenCongenital Hearing LossAcquired Hearing LossHearing is important for children to develop speech and language skills as they grow. In the past, hearing loss in children often went undetected until around age two, when it became apparent that they were not yet speaking. Children learn communication by copying the sounds they hear. If they have hearing loss that goes undetected and untreated, they may lose much of the speech and language around them. This results in delayed language development, social problems, and academic difficulties. Hearing loss, to varying degrees, affects two in 100 children under the age of eighteen. Unfortunately, there are very few hearing losses that cannot be treated with modern technology. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Types of Hearing Loss in Children Hearing loss in children can be present at birth (congenital) or acquired after birth. The two main types of hearing loss are: Sensorineural hearing loss – This type of hearing loss is related to damage or a defect in the inner ear or neural connection to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by congenital factors or can occur after birth. Conductive hearing loss – A reduction in sound sent to the inner ear caused by a problem in the outer or middle ear. Conductive hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in children and is usually acquired. In a minority of cases, this type of hearing loss is congenital. Hearing loss can also be a mix of both of these types, affecting both the inner ear and the outer/middle ear. Congenital Hearing Loss Congenital hearing loss means that it was present in a child at birth. There are various causes of congenital hearing loss, although they are not always easily identifiable. There are both non-genetic and genetic factors that could cause hearing loss. Non-genetic factors that could cause congenital hearing loss include: Complications at birth, including the presence of herpes, rubella cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis or another serious infection, lack of oxygen, or the need for a blood transfusion for some reason . Premature birth. Babies who have a birth weight less than 1.3 kg or who require certain life-saving breathing medications due to prematurity are at risk of hearing loss. Disorders of the nervous system or brain. Maternal use of ototoxic drugs during pregnancy. Ototoxic drugs are usually not illicit substances: drugs such as various antibiotics and NSAIDs can potentially cause damage to the auditory nerve or other hearing structures of the fetus. The mother had an infection during pregnancy, including things like toxoplasmosis, cytomegolavirus, herpes simplex, or German measles. Maternal diabetes. Mother's drug or alcohol abuse or smoking during pregnancy. Acquired hearing loss Children may suffer of acquired hearing loss, i.e. it occurs after birth. There are various causes of acquired hearing loss, including: A perforated eardrum Otosclerosis or Meniere's disease, which is progressive Infections such as meningitis, measles, mumps, or whooping cough Taking ototoxic drugs Severe head injury Exposure to loud noises, which causes hearing loss noise-induced hearing loss Untreated or frequent otitis media (ear infections) Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get an essay