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World J Clin Pediatr. Jun 9, 2023; 12(3): 86-96
Published online Jun 9, 2023. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i3.86
Various aspects of hearing loss in newborns: A narrative review
Raid M Al-Ani
Raid M Al-Ani, Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, University of Anbar, College of Medicine, Ramadi 31001, Anbar, Iraq
Author contributions: Al-Ani RM is responsible for the design of the study and writing the manuscript; Al-Ani RM has read and approved the final draft of the article.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reports no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Raid M Al-Ani, MBChB, Academic Editor, Consultant Physician-Scientist, Full Professor, Researcher, Science Editor, Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, University of Anbar, College of Medicine, Al-Andulus, Ramadi 31001, Anbar, Iraq. med.raed.alani2003@uoanbar.edu.iq
Received: February 8, 2023
Peer-review started: February 8, 2023
First decision: April 20, 2023
Revised: April 22, 2023
Accepted: May 22, 2023
Article in press: May 22, 2023
Published online: June 9, 2023
Abstract

Hearing loss is considered the most common birth defect. The estimated prevalence of moderate and severe hearing loss in a normal newborn is 0.1%-0.3%, while the prevalence is 2%-4% in newborns admitted to the newborn intensive care unit. Neonatal hearing loss can be congenital (syndromic or non-syndromic) or acquired such as ototoxicity. In addition, the types of hearing loss can be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Hearing is vital for the acquisition of language and learning. Therefore, early detection and prompt treatment are of utmost importance in preventing the unwanted sequel of hearing loss. The hearing screening program is mandatory in many nations, especially for high-risk newborns. An automated auditory brainstem response test is used as a screening tool in newborns admitted to the newborn intensive care unit. Moreover, genetic testing and screening for cytomegalovirus in newborns are essential in identifying the cause of hearing loss, particularly, mild and delayed onset types of hearing loss. We aimed to update the knowledge on the various aspects of hearing loss in newborns with regard to the epidemiology, risk factors, causes, screening program, investigations, and different modalities of treatment.

Keywords: Newborns, Hearing loss, Deafness, Sensorineural hearing loss, Congenital hearing loss, Universal hearing screening program in newborns

Core Tip: Hearing loss in newborns is a common problem worldwide. Hearing is responsible for the acquisition of language, speech, cognition, and learning. Deaf individuals have a great negative impact on public health and the economic state. Early detection and prompt intervention lead to better outcomes. The universal hearing screening program, genetic testing, and cytomegalovirus detection are useful tools for the early detection of hearing loss in newborns. Rehabilitation of deaf infants with hearing aids or cochlear implants, gene therapy, and treatment of cytomegalovirus infection are satisfactory methods of treatment. However, researchers are focused on resolving the ambiguities regarding the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.