Can she hear you?

Make sure that you get your baby’s hearing screened early and evaluated regularly. Experts tell M&B, it’s imperative to get the first hearing test done within 48 hours of birth or before three months of age in order to prevent hearing impairment

HEARING LOSS IN BABIES MAY BE CONGENITAL (AT BIRTH) OR ACQUIRED.

CONGENITAL FACTORS INCLUDE:

* Some Genetic (familial) conditions cause deafness – if there is a family history

* Infections (toxoplasma, rubella, CMV) in early pregnancy

* Birth defects that affect the formation of the cochlea or hearing nerve

ACQUIRED FACTORS ARE:

* High jaundice

* Birth hypoxia (low oxygen)

* Toxic effect of some drugs

* Infections after birth – some viral infections, meningitis and ear infections

HEARING LOSS CAN BE PREVENTED IF:

* If the expectant mother seeks treatment for infections during pregnancy

* Avoids ototoxic drugs

* Avoids exposure to loud noise

* Gets early treatment for baby’s ear infections or other infections like meningitis

NOISES OFF

In our day to day life, we often take the five senses of hearing, sight, touch, smell, and taste for granted. For a child, it is all the more important to apply these senses, especially during her growing years, when she explores her environment. If she is devoid of one, her social, emotional and cognitive development can get affected for life. Senior consultant surgeon, ENT & neurotology, Dr Ameet Kishore, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi says, “Worldwide figures suggest one to two babies per 1000 newborns have a permanent childhood hearing impairment. However, there are not many studies done in India. In India, the figures are likely to be two to three per 1000.”