Below are some of the common risk factors for hearing loss. It is important for parents to know that not every child with risk factors has hearing loss. You should contact your pediatrician immediately if you have any concerns about your child’s hearing.
- Malformations of the ear, nose or throat
- Parent/caregiver concern regarding hearing
- Rubella during pregnancy
- Speech, language, and/or developmental delay
- Rh incompatibility
- Meningitis
- Family history of hearing loss
- Presence of neonatal risk factors
- Apgar score from 0-3
- Head trauma
- Severe neonatal infections
- Ototoxic medications
- Low birth weight (under 3.3 lbs.)
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Hiperbilirubinemia
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Childhood infectious diseases (e.g. mumps, measles)
- Ototoxic medications
- Severe respiratory distress and/or prolonged mechanical ventilation (10 days or more)
- Stigmata (marked deviation from normal development, especially as a result of congenital or hereditary defects)
If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, contact one of our clinics to arrange a hearing evaluation.