Congenital hearing loss means a person is born with hearing loss. It can be inherited from family (genetic) or caused by factors during pregnancy or birth.
Today, most newborns are screened for hearing loss. However, if the hearing loss is mild, affects only one ear, or develops gradually, it may not be detected right away. As a result, some children and adults may have lived with hearing loss for years without knowing it.
There are two types of congenital hearing loss: hereditary and non-hereditary. It can sometimes be challenging to identify which one is the cause. It is believed that genetic issues are responsible for more than half of congenital hearing loss cases.
Below are the most common causes of hereditary and non-hereditary congenital hearing loss
People with this type of hearing loss have genetically inherited it from their parents. In fact, many forms of congenital hearing loss are genetic. This transmission causes a loss of functionality in the hearing organs, and symptoms can present themselves at birth or even develop later in life.
Most common causes of hereditary hearing loss:
In general, 4 out of 5 babies (80%) with hearing loss have a genetic cause for their hearing loss, while the rest will have non-genetic cause or a combination of factors. 1
Most common causes of non-hereditary congenital hearing loss:
Recognising hearing loss in infants and young children can be challenging. However, identifying and managing congenital hearing loss early is crucial for a child’s language development, learning, and social well-being.
Ideally, treatment should begin before the child reaches 6 months of age. Even if congenital hearing loss is not diagnosed until adulthood, seeking treatment remains important for overall communication and quality of life.
If hearing loss is suspected, it is essential to have the child evaluated by a healthcare provider who specialises in pediatric audiology.
Typical treatments for congenital hearing loss include:
- Hearing aids
- Cochlear implants
- Auditory brainstem implants
Can congenital hearing loss be cured?
While there is no cure for congenital hearing loss, early detection and treatment can prevent speech and other developmental delays. Treatments such as hearing aids are helping children and adults live happy, healthy lives.
At Audika, our hearing care professionals do not provide hearing care services for children. If a child is suspected of having congenital hearing loss, they must be evaluated by a healthcare provider specialising in pediatric audiology.
If hearing aids are determined to be the most appropriate form of support, they can be fitted from a very young age. Treatment decisions should be made in close consultation with the medical doctor, taking into account factors such as the child’s age, personality, developmental stage, degree of hearing loss, as well as the preferences and budget of the parents. In many cases, a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid is recommended, as it can be more easily fitted and adjusted as the child grows.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). A parent's guide to genetics and hearing loss. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. World Health Organization. (2016). Childhood hearing loss: Strategies for prevention and care. World Health Organization.
Audiologist MNZAS CCC, MAud(Hons) BSc
Alex graduated from the University of Auckland Audiology course in 2012 then started his Audiology career in the public sector for seven years at both Manukau SuperClinic, Greenlane Hospital, and Starship Children’s Hospital.
He is now into his sixth year working at Audika New Zealand, working as both a clinician and clinical trainer. He is also an NZAS (New Zealand Audiological Society) CCC’s examiner which he has done for the past seven years. "It is a rewarding experience being able to see how helping someone hear better brings joy to not only the hearing aid user but their family as well".
One of Alex's passions is supervision and helping audiologists grow in both knowledge and clinical skills, which was the driving force for him taking on the role of clinical trainer.
Throughout his time in audiology he has supervised a large number of university students through their public and private placements, as well as provisional audiologists through their CCC’s year.
