Hearing loss in children could be temporary or permanent; it's very important to know the causative factor for good proper management of hearing loss.

Causes of temporary hearing loss in children

1. Ear wax: it's the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children. Wax causes blockage of the external auditory meatus and makes hearing very difficult. Ear wash is done by well-trained qualified doctor for elimination of the wax.
2. Infection: influenza and upper respiratory tract infections could be a reason for temporary hearing loss, especially in children. Once the infection fades off, hearing returns.
3. Trauma: direct trauma to the head or ear could cause hearing loss due to temporal bone fracture or blood flow to the middle ear. Once the injuries are repaired, hearing returns.

Causes of permanent hearing loss in children

1. Premature birth: doctors say that underweight newborns who spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are more liable to permanent hearing loss.
2. Genetic cause: family history and genes could be the cause of many syndromes that are manifested with hearing loss during childhood.
3. Damage of the auditory nerve due to direct trauma to the head.
4. Encephalitis or meningitis during childhood.
5. Congenital malformations of the ear such as ear hypoplasia.