About one in every 750 live births show signs of severe hearing loss. Temporary hearing loss is common in children of school age. It is usually a result of a middle ear infection, or fluid collecting in the middle ear.
Some babies are at a higher risk for hearing loss.
These children include those who have a low birth weight, whose family has a history of early hearing loss or who are congenitally infected with certain diseases like syphilis, rubella or herpes. The normal development of speech depends upon good hearing. Since most language skills develop during the first three years of life, early screening of hearing is essential. Some authorities are currently considering the benefits of universal testing of all babies. Some signs of potential hearing loss include the lack of response to a novel noise produced outside a newborn's field of vision, and the absence of babbling at 6 months of age.