Deafness, as a type of hearing impairment, affects people’s ability to receive sounds from the outside world. Its causes are varied and have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of patients, as well as on their daily lives. Among deaf patients, the elderly are relatively common, but it is worth noting that children are also increasingly becoming a frequent population affected by deafness. Understanding the causes of childhood deafness has become particularly important.
On one hand, unreasonable use of antibiotics is an important factor leading to childhood deafness. For example, medications such as gentamicin may inadvertently damage children’s hearing when used to treat their illnesses.
On the other hand, congenital genetic factors cannot be ignored. Situations such as consanguineous marriages or parents carrying deafness genes may put newborns at risk of bilateral neurosensory deafness.
Additionally, certain systemic diseases during childhood are also one of the triggers for deafness. For instance, measles infections may lead to bilateral sensorineural deafness, while mumps can cause unilateral hearing loss. Furthermore, sleep-related breathing issues due to adenoid hypertrophy, or head trauma in children with Cochlear Aqueduct Syndrome, may exacerbate deafness.
In facing the issue of childhood deafness, although congenital genetic factors are certainly difficult to intervene, appropriate medication and timely treatment of related diseases can effectively prevent the occurrence of other forms of deafness, thus protecting children’s hearing health. Various sectors of society and families should raise awareness and work together to create an environment conducive to hearing development for children.
