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This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition.
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Child Hearing: Risk Factors

There are known medical risk factors that may be associated with hearing loss in some children and families. Ask your child's primary doctor to determine whether your child has any of the following:

Neonates (birth to 28 days)

  • An illness or condition requiring >48 hours as patient of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
  • Abnormal features or other findings associated with a syndrome known to include hearing loss
  • Family history of permanent childhood hearing loss
  • Abnormality in appearance of ears, face, mouth or throat
  • Maternal infections during pregnancy such as cytomegalovirus, herpes, toxoplasmosis or rubella

Infants (29 days through 2years)

  • Parent or caregiver concern regarding hearing, speech language or developmental delay
  • Family history of permanent childhood hearing loss
  • Abnormalities in appearance of ears, face, mouth or throat that were not noted at birth
  • Bacterial meningitis
  • Head trauma
  • Syndromes associated with progressive/late onset hearing loss such as neurofibromatosis, Usher syndrome, etc.
  • Neurodegenerative disorders such as Hunter syndrome, Friedrich's ataxia, and Charcot-Mari-Tooth syndrome
  • Hyperbilirubinemia requiring transfusion, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn associated with mechanical ventilation or conditions requiring ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)
  • Recurrent or persistent fluid behind the eardrum for at least 3 months
Resources

Kileny, P., Connelly, C., & Robertson C. (1980). Auditory brainstem response in perinatal asphyxia. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 2, 147-159.

Van Riper, L. & Kileny, P.R. (1999). ABR Hearing Screening for High-Risk Infants. American Journal of Otology, 20, 516-521.

Reviewed by Angelique Boerst 2/08

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