[2] Other causes of congenital hearing loss that are not hereditary in nature include prenatal infections, illnesses, toxins consumed by the mother during pregnancy or other conditions occurring at the time of birth or shortly thereafter.
These conditions typically cause sensorineural hearing loss ranging from mild to profound in degree.
Studies suggest that children who receive early interventions are better able to develop communication skills (using spoken or sign language).
In the United States of America, because of a Federal law (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), children with a hearing loss between birth and 3 years of age have the right to receive interdisciplinary assessment and early intervention services at little or no cost.
After age 3, early intervention and special education programs are provided through the public school system.
Ideally a team of experts including the child’s primary care provider, an otolaryngologist, a speech-language pathologist, audiologist and an educator will work closely with the parents to create an Individualized Family Service Plan.
In the United States of America, the type preferred by most deaf adults is American Sign Language (ASL), which has rules and grammar that is distinct from English.
There are also several variations of sign language that can be used along with spoken English which are standard in English-speaking countries outside the United States.
Cued speech enables young children with hearing loss to clearly see what is being said and learn spoken languages with normal grammar and vocabulary.
It clarifies lip reading using 8 hand shapes in 4 positions and usually takes less than 20 hours to learn the entire system.