Next Steps: After Diagnosis

Hearing Level / Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss:

One in every 350 babies is born deaf or hard of hearing in Minnesota each year (approximately 200 total). Nationally, 3-5 out of every 1000 infants is born with some degree of hearing loss, making it the most common condition present at birth.

Parents who have a child who is deaf or hard of hearing may need help finding resources and connections to services. In fact, ninety percent of deaf and hard of hearing babies are born to hearing parents who have no experience with hearing loss. We know that children who do not receive early intervention services may have communication difficulties, as well as educational, vocational, psychological, and social challenges.

This section was developed to give information, answer questions, and provide support for Minnesota families with children who have been identified as deaf or hard of hearing. In this section, you will learn about hearing loss and its causes.

• All About Hearing
• Causes of Hearing Loss

Information on this web site was obtained from the Infant Hearing Guide developed in a cooperative project between the University of Arkansas for Medical Science, Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas RRTC and we would like to acknowledge their work.

THIS INFORMATION DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. All content, including text, graphics, images and information are for general informational purposes only. You are encouraged to talk with your doctor or other health care professional with regard to information contained on this web site. After reading this information, you are encouraged to review the information carefully with your doctor or other healthcare provider. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT, BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON THIS web site.