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Many people associate hearing loss with old age. Although most hearing losses are indeed due to old age, there are many other causes of hearing loss. These include hereditary, pathological (result of disease) and idiopathic (unknown origin) hearing losses.
Hearing losses are normally divided into two categories: conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss, depending on where the hearing loss originates in the ear. A child can also have a mixed hearing loss which is a combination of the two. Knowing the type of hearing loss is necessary in order to provide proper treatment.
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 Middle ear infection |
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| Fractured chain of bones |
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| Perforated eardrum |
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| Outer ear deformity |
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| Otosclerosis |
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| Ear wax |
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Common causes of conductive hearing loss in children |
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| Debris must be removed by a professional once it has been identified as contributing to hearing loss. Removed without complication, the hearing is typically fully restored. |
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 Middle ear infection (otitis media)
Infection of the middle ear is a common disorder, especially in young children. An acute infection is very painful and should be treated immediately. If treatment is not sought soon enough, a rupture of the eardrum may follow. |
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| A healthy eardrum will typically heal itself by closing the rupture with scar tissue. However, an accumulation of scar tissue following many episodes of infection can also cause a conductive hearing loss which may be more difficult to reverse. |
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| Ageing |
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| Heredity |
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| Illness |
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| Congenital conditions |
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| Acoustic trauma |
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Common causes of sensorineural hearing loss in children |
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Congenital
This type of hearing loss implies that your child was born with hearing loss. A congenital hearing loss may be hereditary, stemming from a known or unknown family history. Congenital hearing losses may be a consequence of genetic syndromes (ex: Down’s syndrome). |
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| Furthermore, these types of hearing loss can arise from factors affecting pregnancy such as alcohol, drugs or medications taken during pregnancy, illnesses contracted by the mother before or during pregnancy or complications during labour. |
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Acoustic noise trauma
Continual exposure to excessive loud sounds or a brief exposure to sudden impact sounds can cause sensorineural hearing loss (ex: fireworks and cap guns). |
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Infections
Severe cases of certain infections such as measles, mumps, meningitis or whooping cough can lead to various degrees of sensorineural hearing loss. |
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 Visit our site for children and play with Dexi – the playful little whale. |
We have compiled a list of things in children’s behaviour that may indicate hearing difficulties. Read about characteristic signs of steeply sloping hearing losses. Read about causes of acoustic trauma.
 Read more about our various hearing aid models. |
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