The type of hearing loss that your child has could be the result of one or more causes. The listing below includes the most common causes of hearing loss.

AN = Auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchrony
C = Conductive hearing loss
M = Mixed hearing loss
SN = Sensorineural hearing loss
U = Unilateral hearing loss

During Pregnancy and Childbirth:

Birth defects of the head and neck C M SN
Connexin-26 SN
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) SN
Genetic Syndrome C M SN
Herpes (genital) SN
Low birth weight AN C SN M
Ototoxic Medications SN
Oxygen deprivation SN
RH incompatibility AN SN
Rubella (measles) SN
Severe Jaundice AN SN
Syphilis C M SN
Toxoplasmosis SN

In Infants and Children:

Autoimmune disorders SN
Explosions or repeated loud noises C M SN
Head Injury C M SN
Heredity C M SN
Meningitis SN
Middle ear problems (repeated) C
Mumps (usually one ear) SN U
Ototoxic medications such as:streptomycin, kanamycin, garamycin,
ethacrynic acid, quinine, lasix SN

Genetic testing is available to help determine the cause. In many cases, however, the cause of a child's hearing loss is never determined.