Did you realize that fetuses begin perceiving sounds while in the mother’s womb? Following birth, a baby’s auditory abilities progress as they observe the visages of individuals around them and absorb ambient sounds. Over time, they even begin mimicking these auditory stimuli. However, in case your infant doesn’t respond to noises, fails to awaken, or doesn’t react to the voices with smiles or babbling? Could this indicate a potential hearing loss in your baby? Hence, this blog is curated by Adro Hearing Aid, the best hearing aid centre in Chennai, exploring the essential things about congenital hearing loss.

What Does Congenital Hearing Impairment Mean?

The congenital hearing impairment is defined as the hearing inability by an individual right from the time of birth. There are many factors that contribute to the hearing impairment at the time of birth due to the premature birth condition or infections by viruses such as herpes simplex virus or rubella  Apart from viruses and premature birth condition, there are also certain syndromes due to the disorder in the baby’s genetics, affecting baby’s hearing. 

Genetic Disorders Leading to Congenital Hearing Impairment:

Alport Syndrome:

This genetic condition manifests as progressive hearing loss, resulting from inner ear abnormalities, alongside eye defects and kidney disease.

Goldenhar’s Syndrome:

It is one of the rare genetic disorders in infants causing impairment in eyesight and hearing, or both. Babies with Goldenhar’s Syndrome have congenital aural atresia where the ear canal inside the ear is not found leading to congenital hearing impairment.

Waardenburg Syndrome:

In the Waardenburg Syndrome, the infant’s hearing ability, skin, hair, and the iris is affected. However, hearing loss ranges from moderate to profound, occurring either in both or one ear. 

Crouzon Syndrome:

Babies with this syndrome exhibit dental issues and external or middle ear malformations.

Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS):

TCS symptoms range from mild to severe, with cases where one parent’s symptoms are subtle. However, more pronounced symptoms may appear when the genes are passed down to their offspring. Moreover, 30-50 percent of affected children may experience profound hearing loss due to TCS.

Down Syndrome:

Newborns with Down’s syndrome have an increased likelihood of permanent hearing loss in their inner ears genetically. It is found in many studies that around 38-78 percent of infants hearing loss is attributed with Down syndrome.

Diagnosis Of Congenital Hearing Loss

In general, hearing impairment is examined by physical examination or through the response of others calling. However, it is not easy to identify the hearing impairment in the newborns and it can lead to late treatment. The following are the methods through which one can diagnose congenital hearing loss in newborns,  

Genome-Scope Newborn Sequencing

The Genome-scope newborn sequencing is the next-gen advanced technology to test the genes of the infants who have hearing loss as they can be the carrier of any genetic syndrome despite the parents having normal hearing. The testing is very simple yet offers comprehensive results. In this testing, around 1500 genes of the newborns are tested and analyzed as per the symptoms.

Treatment For Congenital Hearing Loss

The congenital hearing loss treatment typically begins before a child reaches six months of age, considering various factors such as age, behavior, personality, and the child’s developmental level. The severity of hearing loss is also a crucial consideration. Following a comprehensive analysis, the doctor may suggest various medical interventions such as ear tubes, devices of hearing, medications such as antibiotics, or surgical procedures.

Hearing loss may manifest in a newborn with or without a family history. Families may exhibit varying degrees of prevalence, with some having multiple affected individuals while others may have only one child with hearing loss. Therefore, the diagnosis from the best hearing aid centre in Nagercoil, Trichy, or Chennai becomes crucial in determining the appropriate approach and medical interventions for addressing hearing loss or any associated genetic abnormalities.