Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

Are there different types of hearing loss?

Hearing loss can be: conductive - caused by damage to the outer or middle ear; sensorineural - caused by damage to the inner ear structures, or; mixed - caused by a combination of both.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear in one or both ears.

What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

A baby typically achieves certain milestones during their speech and language development. When a baby or infant appears to have missed some of these milestones, it may indicate they have hearing loss. Some of the more typical milestones may include a …

What causes congenital hearing loss?

Some of the more typical causes of congenital hearing loss include: infections during pregnancy; nervous system disorders; being born prematurely; a family history of hearing loss, and; complications during birth.

Who can develop hearing loss?

Around one in every 1000 births are affected by permanent bilateral hearing loss. Around half of babies born with or developing hearing loss do so with no previous risk factors.

How is hearing loss diagnosed?

In Australia, newborn babies are routinely screened to identify babies born with, or at risk of, developing hearing loss.

How is hearing loss treated?

Treatment of hearing loss varies depending on the cause and severity of hearing loss, and the age of the child, but early intervention measures may include hearing aids and support services.

Can hearing loss be prevented?

Hearing loss in newborns cannot be totally prevented, but there are things you can do to minimize the risk, including keeping childhood vaccinations up to date, and getting early treatment for ear infections.

What increases the chances of developing hearing loss?

The following can increase the chance of developing hearing loss: 1) Congenital infections such as HIV, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, varicella, rubella, cytomegalovirus or herpes. 2) Hyperbilirubinemia (too much bilirubin in the blood). 3) …

How common is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is estimated to affect up to 5% of the general population.

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Earwax

Earwax is an oily substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It is important for protecting the ear canal. It is usually harmless, however if it causes problems due to an excessive build-up, it can easily be treated.…
Diseases & conditions

Hearing loss

Hearing loss is the partial or complete loss of hearing in either one or both ears. This can occur suddenly in some cases, but typically it tends to develop gradually. Noise exposure accumulates over a lifetime, such that repeated exposure to loud noises increases the level of hearing loss experienced.…
Diseases & conditions

Age-related hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss, medically known as presbycusis, is the partial or complete loss of hearing that develops with age. It is a common condition, with up to one in three people over the age of 65 affected by varying degrees of hearing loss.…
Diseases & conditions

Outer ear infections

An outer ear infection, or otitis externa, is inflammation and swelling of the skin that lines the ear canal between the opening of the ear and the eardrum. It is characterised by pain and itching in the ear, temporary hearing loss and a discharge of smelly yellow-green pus.…
Diseases & conditions

Diaper rash

Diaper rash is a skin rash around the diaper area that is common in babies between four and fifteen months of age. Most babies will get nappy rash at some point while they are in nappies, but they can usually be cared for at home.…
Diseases & conditions

Food refusal

Food refusal often occurs in children, usually at the end of their first year. By this time they have formed food preferences. In their second year, children may refuse food on sight, based on these preferences.…

About this article

Author: Lauren Donley BSc (Hons)
First answered: 26 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 18 Oct 2018
Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Votes: 219 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Earwax

×

Content goes in here.