[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”2/3″][text_output]Hearing loss in children is a serious condition that can affect a child’s ability to develop good communication, language, and social skills. If you are the parent of a child who is experiencing some level of hearing loss, it is important for you to contact your hearing loss doctor in Texas immediately. You will undoubtedly have many questions and concerns regarding this problem and how it will affect your child’s development and future. The earlier you to contact your hearing loss doctor and start getting services and treatment, the more likely your child is to reach their full potential. Here at Central Park ENT, our knowledgeable team of audiologists are in place to help you explore your options and understand what hearing loss means for your child. We understand how overwhelming it can be to learn your child has been diagnosed with hearing loss. However, gaining a greater knowledge and understanding of the common causes of hearing loss in children is imperative in meeting your child’s needs moving forward. Below we have outlined some of the most common causes of hearing loss to help you provide your child with the care he or she needs.

Causes of Temporary Hearing Loss

There are a couple of different causes that lead to temporary hearing loss in children. They are as follows:

  • Fluid in the middle ear due to an ear infection (this is the most common cause)
  • Eardrum perforation
  • Narrowing of the ear canal due to disease or surgery
  • Excessive ear wax that leads to a plugged ear canal

Temporary hearing loss in children is more common and typically less serious than permanent hearing loss, but it is still important for you to contact your hearing loss doctor in Dallas, Fort Worth or Arlington if you suspect your child is having difficulty hearing.

Causes of Permanent Hearing Loss

Permanent hearing losses are far less common than temporary hearing losses but are extremely serious. There are many different causes of permanent hearing loss in children, including genetics, infections, drug-related, and trauma. Below we will go over each of these common causes in more detail.

  • Genetics – Genetic hearing loss is the most common in children. There are two types of genetic hearing loss:
    • Approximately 70% of cases are referred to as non syndromic hearing loss. In these cases, the child only has hearing loss, no other symptoms
    • The other 30% of people suffer from a genetic type of hearing loss calledsyndromic hearing loss. In these cases, there are other health problems in addition to hearing loss
  • Infections – While the development of new vaccines have helped prevent some types of hearing loss caused by infections, there are still some infectious causes that result in hearing loss. Here are a few common examples:
    • Infections caused by viruses during pregnancy (such as herpes, rubella, and CMV)
    • Syphilis
    • Infections caused by bacteria after birth (such as bacterial meningitis and syphilis)
    • Infections caused by viruses (such as measles and mumps)
  • Drugs – Some drugs used during pregnancy as well as after may result in hearing loss. Some of these include:
    • Alcohol
    • Medications (such as chemotherapy)
    • Ototoxic drugs used after birth (such as antibiotics, diuretics, and cisplatin)
  • Trauma – A child’s ear is extremely delicate and can easily be damaged in a wide range of ways, including the following:
    • Head injuries
    • Loud noise
    • Structural problems, such as stenosis, malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, ear drum, or ear bones

If your child is suffering from hearing loss or if you suspect this is the case, please do not hesitate to contact your hearing loss doctor at Central Park ENT. Hearing loss is a very serious problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. With offices in 3 prime locations in Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth, our mission is to increase our patients’ standard of living.[/text_output][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][image type=”none” float=”none” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”547″][/vc_column][/vc_row]