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Diagnosis and Management of Congenital Hearing Loss

by Elizabeth Hofheinz, MPH, MEd •

Elizabeth Hofheinz is a freelance medical writer based in Louisiana.

Disclosures

Dr. Bush is a principal investigator for Advanced Bionics, an advisory board member for Med El, and an educational course director for Stryker. Dr. Papsin is a sponsored speaker for Cochlear Americas.

National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention 1-3-6 Goals

  • Screen all infants for hearing loss before 1 month of age.
  • Diagnose hearing loss before 3 months.
  • Enroll a child with hearing loss before 6 months.

Source: CDC

Take-Home Points

  • Timing is critical. Follow EHDI 1/3/6 guidelines, as they are associated with higher language outcomes and earlier cochlear implantation.
  • Newborns who fail their initial screening should undergo ABR within two weeks.
  • CMV is the most common non-genetic cause of hearing loss in children.
  • UHL results in whole-brain adaptations; a hearing aid may not provide immediate improvement.