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Newborns
Low birth weight (especially less than 3.3 pounds, or 1.5 kilograms)
Low Apgar score Apgar Score (lower than 5 at 1 minute after birth or lower than 7 at 5 minutes after birth)
Low blood oxygen levels or seizures Seizures in Children Seizures are a periodic disturbance of the brain’s electrical activity, resulting in some degree of temporary brain dysfunction. When older infants or young children have seizures, they often... read more resulting from a difficult delivery
Infection before birth with rubella Rubella in Newborns Rubella is a typically mild childhood viral infection that may, however, have devastating consequences for infants infected before birth. Rubella is caused by a virus. The fetus or newborn may... read more , syphilis Syphilis in Newborns Syphilis is an infection caused by the bacteria Treponema pallidum. It causes serious problems in infants infected before birth. Syphilis is caused by bacteria. Serious complications... read more , herpes Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection in Newborns Herpes simplex virus infection usually causes only annoying, recurring blisters in healthy adults but can cause severe infection in newborns. Newborns may become infected at birth or after birth... read more , cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in Newborns Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that usually causes few or no problems but can cause serious illness in infants who are infected before birth or around the time of birth. Cytomegalovirus infection... read more , or toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis in Newborns Toxoplasmosis is infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It usually does not cause problems in healthy adults, but it can cause serious illness in newborns and in people with a... read more
Abnormalities in the skull or face, especially those involving the outer ear and ear canal (see Developmental Abnormalities of the Outer Ear Developmental Abnormalities of the Outer Ear Developmental abnormalities are present at birth or are identified soon after birth. Developmental abnormalities of the outer ear include microtia (also called small ear) and auditory (ear)... read more )
A high level of bilirubin (a waste product) in the blood ( see Jaundice in the Newborn Jaundice in the Newborn Jaundice is a yellow color to the skin and/or eyes caused by an increase in bilirubin in the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow substance formed when hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells... read more )
Bacterial meningitis ( see Meningitis in Children Meningitis in Children Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection of the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord ( meninges). Bacterial meningitis in older infants and children usually results from bacteria... read more )
Bloodstream infection ( sepsis Sepsis in Newborns Sepsis is a serious bodywide reaction to infection spread through the blood. Newborns with sepsis appear generally ill—they are listless, do not feed well, often have a gray color, and may have... read more )
Use of a ventilator Mechanical Ventilation Mechanical ventilation is use of a machine to aid the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Some people with respiratory failure need a mechanical ventilator (a machine that helps air get... read more (a machine that helps air get in and out of the lungs) for a long time
Use of certain drugs that can damage the ears Ear Disorders Caused by Drugs Many drugs, including medications, can damage the ears. These drugs are called ototoxic drugs. They include the antibiotics streptomycin, tobramycin, gentamicin, neomycin, and vancomycin, as... read more , such as aminoglycoside antibiotics and some diuretics
History of early hearing loss in a parent or close relative
Older children
All the above, plus the following:
A head injury Overview of Head Injuries Head injuries that involve the brain are particularly concerning. Common causes of head injuries include falls, motor vehicle crashes, assaults, and mishaps during sports and recreational activities... read more with a skull fracture Skull Fracture A skull fracture is a break in a bone surrounding the brain. Skull fractures can occur with or without brain damage. Symptoms may include pain, symptoms of brain damage, and, in certain fractures... read more or loss of consciousness
Chronic middle ear infections Chronic Middle Ear Infection in Children Chronic middle ear infection results from recurring infections that may damage the eardrum or lead to formation of a cholesteatoma, which in turn promotes more infection. Chronic middle ear... read more or a cholesteatoma
Some neurologic disorders, such as neurofibromatosis Neurofibromatosis Neurofibromatosis is a group of genetic disorders in which many soft, fleshy growths of nerve tissue (neurofibromas) form under the skin and in other parts of the body, and flat spots that are... read more and neurodegenerative disorders (such as Hunter syndrome)
Exposure to noise at high levels or for long periods
Perforation of the eardrum Eardrum Perforation A perforation is a hole in the eardrum. Eardrum perforations are caused by middle ear infections and injuries. Perforation causes sudden ear pain, sometimes with bleeding from the ear, hearing... read more due to infection or injury