Katarzyna Mazurkiewicz

 Hearing impairment results from a structural abnormality (such as a hole in the eardrum) that may or may not produce a functional disability (such as diminished hearing).

 mild (a loss up to 40 dB) - with trouble in hearing ordinary conversation  moderate (40-60 dB) - where voices must be raised to be heard  severe (over 60 dB loss) - where people must shout to be heard

There are a few different types of hearing loss: conductive, sensory, mixed (conductive and sensory combined), and neural.  Conductive hearing loss - (CHL) occurs because of a mechanical problem in the outer or middle ear. The three tiny bones of the ear (ossicles) may not conduct sound properly, or the eardrum may not vibrate in response to sound. Fluid in the middle ear can cause this type of hearing loss.  Sensory hearing loss - (SNHL) results when there is a problem with the inner ear. It most often occurs when the tiny hair cells (nerve endings) that transmit sound through the ear are injured, diseased, do not function properly, or have prematurely died. This type of hearing loss is sometimes called "nerve damage," although this is not accurate.  Neural hearing loss. This happens when there is a problem with the connection from the cochlea to the brain. Neural means related to nerve, so neural hearing loss means the nerve that carries the messages from the cochlea to the brain is damaged.  CHL is often reversible. SNHL is not. People who have both forms of hearing loss are said to have mixed hearing loss.

 Ear infections are the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children. Fluid may stay in the ear after an ear infection. The fluid can cause significant hearing problems in children. Any fluid that remains for longer than weeks is cause for concern.  Causes that are present at birth (congenital):  Birth defects that cause changes in the ear structures,  Genetic syndromes (more than 400 are known),  Infections the mother passes to her baby in the womb (such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, or herpes).

 Infections:  Measles,  Meningitis,  Mumps,  Scarlet fever,  Influenza,  Herpes Simple,  Herpes Zoster,  Mononucleosis,  Syphilis.

 Acoustic trauma such as from explosions, fireworks, gunfire, rock concerts, and earphones,  Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis),  Barotrauma (differences in pressure, most often from scuba diving)  Skull fracture (temporal bone),  Working around loud noises on a day-to-day basis (can damage the cells responsible for hearing),  Head trauma - a fracture of the temporal bone can disrupt the nerves of the auditory system,  Ototoxic drugs - certain drugs can affect hearing by damaging the nerves involved in hearing. Usually this occurs when large or toxic doses are used but may also occur with lower doses,  Antibiotics including aminoglycosides (gentamicin, vancomycin), erythromycins, and minocycline),

 Vascular diseases (problems with blood vessels) include sickle cell disease, diabetes, leukemia, polycythemia, and diseases in which excessive blood clotting occurs,  Children and adults with kidney problems are more susceptible to sensorineural hearing loss,  Ménière disease - a disease that affects hearing and balance. It is usually associated with tinnitus (ringing in the ears). It has a gradual onset and often progresses to deafness and severe vertigo. The cause is unknown,  Acoustic neuroma - a tumor in the auditory nerve. Usually associated with ringing in the ears,  Blocked Eustachian tubes,  Scarred or perforated eardrum,  Use of certain medicines.

 Appropriately chosen, properly fitted, and regularly checked, hearing aids can greatly improve the quality of life for hearing-impaired persons. They are prescribed according to the type and severity of hearing loss, how well someone can manipulate the aid, and the condition of the ear canal. They work by amplifying sound and are most effective in quiet areas - as for one to one conversations and small group interaction.  If a doctor thinks that a baby or child may have hearing loss, the doctor will recommend that the parents take him or her to an audiologist. An audiologist is someone who is specially trained to test and help with the problems related to hearing loss.

 If an audiologist finds that a child has hearing loss, he or she will recommend treatment and suggest the family work with a special team. This team can help figure out the best way for the kid to learn and communicate.

 About infants out of every 1,000 live births will have some degree of hearing loss at birth. Hearing loss can also develop in children who had normal hearing as infants. The loss can occur in one or both ears, and may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. Profound hearing loss is what most people call deafness. Some cases of hearing loss are progressive (they get worse over time). Other cases of hearing loss stay stable and do not get worse.

 Risk factors for infant hearing loss include:  Family history of hearing loss,  Infection with some viruses and bacteria,  Low birth weight,  Problems with the structure of the skull bones.  Causes of conductive hearing loss in infants include:  Abnormalities in the structure of the ear canal or middle ear,  Buildup of ear wax,  Ear infections (especially repeated infections),  Foreign objects in the ear,  Injury,  Rupture of the eardrum,  Tumors

 Central hearing loss results from damage to the auditory nerve itself, or the brain pathways that lead to the nerve. Central hearing loss is rare in infants and children.  Some children may not be diagnosed until they are in school. This is true even if they were born with hearing loss.  Children with cochlear implants may be at a higher risk for bacterial meningitis (inflammation around the brain, which may spread through the blood to the rest of the body).

 Gunia G Etiologia wad słuchu. W Gunia G, Lechta V, red Wprowadzenia do logopedii  Perier O. Przyczyny zaburzeń słuchu u dzieci  Pruszewicz A. Diagnoza zaburzeń słuchu

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