Beyond Newborn Hearing Screening: Recognizing the Signs of Late Onset Hearing Loss in Infants and Young Children

With 39 out of 50 states mandating universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS), and newborn hearing screening data being collected from 40 states, it would be easy to assume that the identification of permanent childhood hearing loss is guaranteed. Yet, the fact is that some childhood hearing losses have a later onset and will not be identified through newborn screening methods. This article responds to some basic questions about late-onset hearing loss in infancy and childhood. What is the prevalence of childhood hearing loss? Current UNHS statistics indicate an overall hearing loss prevalence rate of 1-2 per 1000 at birth. These prevalence statistics are consistent across the US and are not dependent on the particular hearing screening method being used. Statistical information about the prevalence of hearing loss in older children is difficult to find and interpret for a number of reasons. Late onset or progressive hearing loss can be due to hereditary factors, infection, trauma, noise exposure or teratogens. Studies also vary in how “significant hearing loss ” is defined. As a result, the prevalence of late onset hearing loss is not well defined. In general there is a trend toward increasing rates of hearing loss as children get older