This document discusses infant hearing loss, including that about 12,000 babies are born with hearing loss each year which can be caused by genetic factors in 1/3 of cases, non-genetic factors in 1/3 of cases, and are unknown in the remaining 1/3 of cases. Interventions for infant hearing loss include assistive technologies like hearing aids and cochlear implants, as well as surgery and medications. Cochlear implants are debated as some see them providing access to the hearing world while others in the Deaf community see them as threatening deaf identity and culture. The essential question asks if one was hard of hearing, would they want a cochlear implant?

1. Infant Hearing Loss
Tyrell Hardtke
Cochlear Implants: The Complex Debate
CDC’s 2005 Science Ambassador Program

2. Presentation Overview
I. Facts about infant hearing loss
A. Prevalence
B. Causes: Genetic, Non-Genetic, and
Unknown
II. Interventions and treatments for infant
hearing loss
III. Debate over cochlear implants
A. Background Information
B. Learning About the Deaf Community
IV. Essential question

3. Learning About Infant Hearing Loss
 Every year, about 12,000 babies are born
with hearing loss
 Causes:
1/3 genetic
1/3 non-genetic
1/3 unknown

4. Genetic Causes
 Gene is inherited from a parent
 400 kinds have been identified!
 Syndromic or non-syndromic
Examples:
 Usher’s Syndrome
 CX26 gene mutation

5. Non-Genetic and Unknown Causes
Non-Genetic:
 Trauma before or during birth
 Low birth weight
 Bacterial and viral infections (e.g., meningitis)
Unknown:
 Research is under way to reduce number of
unknown causes
 Scientists think half are genetic and half are non-
genetic

6. Interventions and Treatments for
Infant Hearing Loss
 Assistive technology
 Cochlear implants
 Hearing aids
 Surgery and medications
 Family support systems
 Professional staff
 Communication and language options

7. Cochlear Implants
 What is it?
 How does it work?
 What does it look like?
 How well can an implant recipient actually hear?

8. Cochlear Implants: The Debate
 Access to hearing world vs. identity within
Deaf culture (social and psychological)
 Medical ethics
 Actual effectiveness
 Not maximizing ability to perceive sounds
 Cognitive development associated with the
choice of language

9. The Deaf Community
 Supportive, strong
community
 Does not view hearing
loss as a disability
 Rich history and
language (e.g., ASL)
 Children with cochlear
implants may have
limited access to the
Deaf community

10. Essential Question:
 If you were hard of hearing, would you
want a cochlear implant? Why or why not?

11. References
1. EHDI Science Ambassador Program Presentation
Biernath, K., Gaffney, M., and Victor, M. June 19, 2005.
2. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/FAQ/questionsgeneral
HL.htm [6/22/05]
3. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/hearingaid.
asp#4 [8/11/05]
4. http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/types.htm
[8/6/05]
5. http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/cochlear_
implant.htm [6/22/05]
6. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/soundandfury/cultu
re/deafhistory.html [8/11/05]