roseola Eardrum and middle ear problems may be caused by an inflammation of the middle ear or a blocked eustachian tube (the tube that connects the middle ear and the upper part of the throat). Signals travel to the hearing center Sounds from both of the brain ear ear Innormal hearing, sound causes vibrations of the eardrum, which are u.hhmi"ed by the chain bones in the middle ear to the inner ear, lch tflen sends signals through the auditory nerve to the brain. Inner ear problems may be caused by injuries or infections. Eighth cranial nerve problems have several possible causes. A child may be born with a nerve that has not developed properly or that was damaged before birth. (For example, if a pregnant woman contracts rubella, the virus may infect the eighth cranial nerve in the unborn child.) After birth, this nerve can be damaged by an injury, a viral infection (such as mumps or measles), or a bacterial infection (such as meningitis). This nerve can also be affected by certain medications. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Signs of a hearing loss usually can be seen in a child's behavior. Suspect a hearing loss if any of the following situations occur: an infant over three months old ignores sounds or does not turn the head toward sound; a baby over one year old does not speak at least a few words; a child over two years old does not speak in at least twoword or three word sentences; a child over five years old does not speak so that a stranger can understand: a child of any age has learning problems in school; or a child simply does not seem to hear well at home. Any of these symptoms may be caused by a hearing loss, but they also may have other causes. Every child should be given a professional hearing test before starting kindergarten. HOME CARE Home care for a hearing problem depends on the cause, as well as on the degree of the hearing loss. If you think that your child may have a hearing problem, see your doctor. A doctor can more accurately determine if there is a problem and prescribe the best treatment. PRECAUTIONS • Every woman of childbearing age should consult her doctor about rubella (German measles) immunization. • Do not put any object (including cotton swabs) into your child's ear canal for any reason. You may force earwax to become packed into the canal, or you may damage the eardrum. MEDICAL TREATMENT Your doctor will examine the ear to determine the cause of the hearing loss. Specialists have equipment to test hearing in children of any age past early infancy. If there is any doubt about the cause or treatment of the hearing loss, your doctor may refer you to a center that specializes in speech and hearing disorders. A deaf child should start special education as soon as the condition is discovered, even if the child is as young as one or two years old. infants