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Types of Deafness in Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 12,000 children annually suffer hearing loss, including three of every 1,000 births in the United States. It is estimated that 15 percent of teenagers and children have either a permanent or temporary hearing loss in either one or both of their ears. It is important to understand the different types of deafness in children for effective prevention and proper treatment.

  1. Conductive Deafness

    • Conductive deafness, also known as Otitis Media, is the most common type of deafness in children. In conductive deafness, sound waves do not pass efficiently from the outer ear to the middle ear and to the cochlea to be processed by the auditory nerve. Fluid build up in the middle ear is often the cause of this type of deafness. When fluid is present, the condition is termed Otitis Media with Effusion. Although conductive deafness is usually temporary, it can result in permanent damage to the ear and permanent hearing loss.

      Causes of conductive hearing loss can be as simple as ear wax buildup. However, fluid build up in the middle ear due to illness is most often the cause. During a cold, allergy attack, or throat infection, the tube connecting the throat to the eustachian tube can swell, thus preventing air to enter the middle ear. A suction is created and fluid is pulled into the middle ear space. This fluid not only causes hearing loss but also is a breeding ground for bacteria and virus growth.

    Sensori-Neural Deafness

    • Sensori-neural deafness is the result of a defect in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This condition is often inaccurately referred to as "nerve deafness." Sensori-neural deafness is often a result of a defect in the child's cochlea, which results in the hair cells of this hearing organ not transmitting the sound waves properly. This is a permanent deafness condition. There are a variety of causes for sensori-neural deafness.

      Prenatal causes include: genetic factors; maternal illness during pregnancy such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, herpes, or cytomegalovirus; and the use of ototoxic drugs by the mother. Post-natal conditions also can induce sensori-neural deafness. These include: premature birth leading to infection, jaundice, lack of oxygen, meningitis, mumps, measles, ear injury or exposure to loud sounds.

    Mixed Deafness

    • Mixed deafness, as the name implies, is a condition that involves both conductive deafness and sensori-neural deafness. A child may have fluid present in the ear, preventing sound waves from traveling efficiently to the cochlea and also a genetic defect in the cochlea itself.

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