BABY AND CHILDHOOD DISORDERS OF THE EARS, NOSE AND THROAT: DEAFNESS
Babies may be born with a hearing deficiency or may be deaf. It is estimated this occurs in about 2 children per 1000—a large number every year. There are many causes of deafness. Before the widespread use of rubella vaccination in women, the commonest cause was probably damage to the growing foetus when pregnant women contracted rubella (German measles). The virus has a devastating effect on the ear mechanism of the developing infant. Following rubella epidemics, large numbers of deaf and partially deaf babies were born. Fortunately, with the fairly widespread use of vaccination programmes, this is now a far less common cause. Let us hope that trend will continue.
Hearing loss is often detected by the parents when baby is still very young. It is possible to pick it up as early as three months of age. It may be suspected if the mother was known to have had rubella during pregnancy or if there are other developmental anomalies in the baby. The baby may not respond to normal sounds during the day's activities or may not be aroused by normal noise when asleep. The baby may not quieten when spoken to or respond to normal maternal overtones. Loud noises may not startle him or her. These may be the earliest indications and may be detected during the first three to four months.
Between four and twelve months, the infant may fail to respond to his or her name or fail to localize to soft, interesting sounds that would normally attract an infant.
Between twelve and twenty-four months, there may be no variation in the way in which the infant talks. The voice may retain a loud strident character, and the range of words and noises remain limited.
After the age of two years, the infant's speech is obviously retarded, and it may sound like jargon. Language development simply comes to a standstill, and educational problems become apparent (slow learning, behavioural problems at school, or restlessness and nervousness).
These are the possibilities, in summary. However, an observant parent may have detected the hearing deficiency in the first few months and treatment commenced.
Treatment
Hearing is as important to speech as sight is to reading. It is essential that immediate action be taken as soon as there is any question about the baby's loss of hearing. If there is the slightest suspicion, it is essential to have an immediate check carried out.
In Australia, this is carried out at the Commonwealth Acoustic Laboratories. Most children with suspected hearing problems are tested there, and the service is readily available. It may be done either via your own family doctor, or you may attend direct. No formal referral is required. This centre tests and cares for the majority of deaf children in Australia. There are many branches, and contact is simple. Check the telephone book for locations. Testing, supplies and servicing of equipment, if needed, are supplied free of charge to patient and parents. It is an excellent service.
Hearing aids are now fitted to infants and children at any age from three months onwards. It may make an enormous difference to the child's future.
If there is any question of an indication of mental retardation, brain injury, autism or speech defects in a child, it is worth having hearing tests carried out, for deafness may mimic any of these disorders.
In some children, the sudden onset of apparent deafness may be because of a foreign body or unusual wax being present in the ear. However, a check by the doctor will quickly indicate if this is the cause.
In other countries, similar audiological testing is available, and similar services are generally available to parents and children needing treatment.
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General Health
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