The loss may be caused by a defect of the outer or middle ear, but more often damage exists in the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss, caused by problems with the external or middle ear conducting sound to the inner ear, can often be corrected by medication or surgery. If not, a child can usually do well with a hearing aid. There are a variety of hearing aids that are prescribed based on the particular type of hearing loss. Children can be taught to communicate either via a speech and lip-reading approach or via sign language.
Some children learn both methods.
The earlier deafness is identified, the better chances a child has to acquire language, whether spoken or signed.