The inability to hear clearly can have a profound effect on the ability of children to develop language skills and to do well in preschool and elementary school settings. Most hospitals perform hearing loss screenings for newborns, making sure that any issues are identified and dealt with early on. At the Sheldon and Susan Siegel Children’s Foundation, the team members of our Florida special needs children’s charity are working to find solutions for children with disabilities and to raise awareness of these issues in the public arena.
Not all of the causes of hearing loss in childhood are well understood. In some cases, genetic factors may be to blame for congenital hearing loss. Infants that are born prematurely are more likely to experience hearing loss issues. Infections can also cause congenital deafness or hearing loss, including rubella, herpes, measles and toxoplasmosis infections of the mother or the child. Substance abuse and the use of certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs during pregnancy can also have a negative impact on the ability of babies to hear. The team at our Florida children’s foundation is committed to finding solutions for congenital problems that can result in hearing loss for babies and children.
Accidents and serious illnesses can sometimes cause hearing loss in children. Severe ear infections that are not properly treated can sometimes cause temporary or permanent loss of hearing. Meningitis, mumps, whooping cough and measles are all potential causes of deafness or acquired hearing loss. Head injuries can also have a serious negative effect on hearing in some children. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can potentially cause permanent hearing loss in vulnerable individuals. At our Florida children’s charity, we work diligently every day to increase public awareness of the risk factors involved in cases of acquired hearing loss.
New treatments for hearing loss are being developed every day. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are among the most commonly recommended treatments for children and can provide real improvements in their ability to hear clearly. These treatment options can often provide added support in helping children learn to speak more clearly and to progress along with their classmates in the school environment.
The Sheldon and Susan Siegel Children’s Foundation is committed to assisting in research efforts to treat and prevent childhood deafness and hearing loss. We want every child to enjoy the best opportunities to achieve their goals. To that end, our Florida children’s foundation provides support for all types of research into treatments for hearing loss. We work every day to promote public awareness of the challenges faced by hearing-impaired children in the educational environment and the larger world.