Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Monkeypox Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Services
  • Ear, Nose and Throat
  • Congenital Hearing Loss
Content

Congenital Hearing Loss

For a child, hearing and speech are essential tools for learning, playing and developing social skills. So, if your child has a congenital hearing loss present at birth, it’s natural to worry about her well-being. Specialists and care teams in the Sutter Health network can help you determine if your child has hearing loss, its extent and the best course of treatment.

Mother and son wearing a hearing aid in a park

Congenital hearing loss can be caused by many factors, including:

  • Infections during pregnancy (German measles, toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus)
  • Ototoxic medication used during pregnancy
  • Birth complications
  • Disorder of the brain or nervous system
  • Genetic syndromes, such as Ushers, Down's and Waardenburg's syndromes
  • Family history of hearing loss

Infant Screening

Most hospitals perform hearing tests for babies shortly after delivery. This assures early intervention if the newborn shows any signs of hearing loss. But if your infant was not tested at birth, contact your doctor for a thorough hearing evaluation.

Observing Hearing Loss

Parents are often the first people to sense that their child has a hearing problem. It is important to recognize the signs of hearing loss in infants and toddlers as early as possible to prevent any delays in speech or language development. Observing how your child responds to sounds — whether he wakes at loud noises or responds to your voice — can help you assess whether he has trouble hearing. If you suspect a problem, do not delay in getting your child's hearing tested. It's never too early to ask.

To help you evaluate your child's hearing, we've created two hearing loss checklists:

  • Baby and Toddler Hearing Checklist
  • Preschool and Older Hearing Checklist

Pediatric Testing and Treatment

Hearing specialists in the Sutter Health network can conduct hearing tests and evaluations on young children and infants. These tests can assess whether sound is being conducted efficiently or if there is damage to the inner ear or nerve pathways. Doctors can also perform tests to determine if the brain is processing what your child is hearing. 

After your child is tested, a member of your care team will discuss your child's diagnosis with you, along with recommendations for appropriate treatment.

  • If your child has a hearing loss, your care team will refer you to an ears, nose and throat specialist.
  • Depending on the nature of the disorder, a hearing aid or other amplification device may be necessary. Your team will guide you and your child through every step of the selection, fitting, use and care of these devices.
  • For a child diagnosed with severe hearing loss, Sutter Health can provide case management and referrals to appropriate resources.

Connect with an Audiologist

Request a consultation.

Related Content

  • Pediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Care
  • Audiology
  • Testing and Diagnostic Services

Services Near You

Memorial Medical Center

Memorial Medical Center

1700 Coffee Road

Modesto, CA 95355

(209) 526-4500

View All Related Locations

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences