Causes of Deafness

Prenatal cause

• Toxic condition
• Viral Diseases – mumps, influenza, German measles (rubella)
• Congenital malformation of the ear physical structures

Perinatal Causes

• Traumatic experience during delivery
• Anoxia or lack of oxygen due to prolonged labor
• Heavy sedation
• Blockage of the infant’s respiratory passage

Postnatal causes

disease/ ailment/ conditions

1. meningitis
2. external otitis (inflammation of the outer ear)
3. otitis media (often characterized by running/ discharging ear or the infection of the middle ear)
4. impacted or hardened earwax (cerum) which may lead to infection
   

Accidents/ trauma

1. Falls
2. Head bumps
3. Over exposure to high frequency and extremely loud explosions
4. Punctured ear drums
5. Difference in pressure air outside and that one inside the middle ear due to changes in altitude
6. Undrained water in the ear due to frequent swimming
   

Other causes

1. Heredity
2. Prematurity
3. Malnutrition
4. Rh factor – blood incompatibility of parents
5. Over dose of medicine

Additional impairments

1. Visual impairment
2. Physical impairment
3. Mental retardation
4. Brain damage (cerebral palsy)