Congenital deafness
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Congenital Deafness
Congenital deafness refers to the condition of being born with impaired hearing or complete deafness. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, maternal infections during pregnancy, premature birth, and certain medications taken during pregnancy.
Pronunciation
/kənˈjenɪtl ˈdefnəs/
Etymology
The term "congenital" is derived from the Latin word "congenitus," which means "born with." "Deafness" comes from the Old English word "deaf," which means lacking the power of hearing.
Causes
Congenital deafness can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetic mutations: Certain genetic mutations can cause a child to be born with impaired hearing or complete deafness. These mutations can be inherited from one or both parents.
- Maternal infections: If a mother contracts certain infections during pregnancy, such as rubella or cytomegalovirus, it can cause the child to be born with hearing loss.
- Premature birth: Babies born prematurely are at a higher risk of experiencing hearing loss due to the underdevelopment of their auditory system.
- Ototoxic medications: Certain medications taken during pregnancy can damage the developing auditory system of the fetus, leading to hearing loss.
Related Terms
- Sensorineural hearing loss: This is a type of hearing loss that occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve.
- Conductive hearing loss: This type of hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones of the middle ear.
- Mixed hearing loss: This is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This means that there may be damage in the outer or middle ear and in the inner ear or auditory nerve.
See Also
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