What is Early Intervention?

Mom sitting in a sign language class with her baby in her lap.

Early Intervention Guide

There are many possible causes of hearing loss in children.  Some causes are congenital (present at birth), while others are acquired (cause of hearing loss happens sometime after birth).  Acquired hearing loss is also known as Late Onset Hearing Loss (LOHL).

  • Prematurity
  • Genetics/Inherited
  • Malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear
  • Prenatal infection, illnesses
  • Toxemia during pregnancy
  • Maternal diabetes

The following is a list of some things a baby with normal hearing should be able to do:

As a parent/caregiver, it is important to do what you can to keep your child’s ears healthy.  One way to do this is to monitor the noise levels that your child is exposed to. Even brief exposure to loud sounds can result in permanent hearing loss.

If your child is exposed to loud noises such as these, hearing protection devises such as ear plugs should be used.  

  • Loud Toys
  • Concerts/Music Events
  • Firecrackers
  • Personal Stereos
  • Sporting Events
  • Band Class
  • Shop Class
  • Motorbikes
  • Arcades
  • Farm Equipment
  • Firearms
  • Fireworks

Conductive Hearing Loss: caused by problems in the outer and/or middle ear.  This type of hearing loss may be permanent or temporary.  It can often times be medically or surgically corrected.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss: caused by problems in the cochlea and/or inner ear.  This is a permanent type hearing loss that usually cannot be medically or surgically corrected.

Mixed Hearing Loss: a combination of Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss.

Central Auditory Processing Disorder: a condition where auditory signals are not processed by the brain.  The child can “hear” sound, but cannot understand what is being heard.  The child’s peripheral mechanisms are working, but the information does not reach the brain in a typical or efficient manner.

There are many possible causes of hearing loss in children.  Some causes are congenital (present at birth), while others are acquired (cause of hearing loss happens sometime after birth).  Acquired hearing loss is also known as Late Onset Hearing Loss (LOHL).

  • Otitis Media (ear infections)
  • Collection of fluid in the middle ear
  • Perforated ear drum (may be causes by untreated ear infections, head injury, blow to the ear, or from poking something in the ear)
  • Blockage in the middle ear (usually caused by a build up of wax)
  • Diseases, viruses, infections (including Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Influenza, etc)
  • Certain drugs and medications
  • Long term exposure to loud noises
  • Head trauma