Expectant mothers who consume alcohol during their pregnancy are at risk for having a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which results in a range of physical and mental impairments. In addition, a child born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), may be at risk for hearing loss.
How Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Might Cause Hearing
According to a small case study, exposure to alcohol in utero along with maternal malnutrition related to alcoholism can lead to abnormal fetal development. Researchers found that thirteen of fourteen children with fetal alcohol syndrome had a health history with hearing problems, particularly otitis media. Out of these fourteen children, four had a hearing loss. The children with FAS seemed to be more likely to have malformations of the ears and repeated respiratory infections, which can lead to hearing loss. In studies of rats, scientists have also found a connection between alcohol and hearing loss. Evidence suggests that alcohol exposure may result in three different kinds of hearing loss:
- delayed maturation of the auditory system
- sensory hearing loss
- conductive hearing loss that happens because of otitis media (prenatal alcohol exposure seems to increase a child's propensity to get otitis media)
The connection between FAS and hearing loss is not conclusive, however. A 2007 study found that out of 41 children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, only five had at least 16 decibels of hearing loss, which is typical for the age group observed, , meaning that the study did not find prenatal alcohol exposure to be a cause of hearing loss.
Following their conclusion, though, the researchers who conducted that 2007 study recommended that children with FASD be evaluated early on for hearing loss . Since these children are already at risk of academic and behavior problems, catching hearing problems at a young age can prevent further issues.
Sources:
Church, M. W.; Gerkin, K. P. Hearing Disorders in Children With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Findings From Case Reports. Pediatrics. Vol. 82 No. 2 August 1988, pp. 147-154.
Church, MW; Eldis, F; Blakley, BW; Bawle, EV. Hearing, language, speech, vestibular, and dentofacial disorders in fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1997 Apr;21(2):227-37.
Cohen-Kerem R, Bar-Oz B, Nulman I, Papaioannou VA, Koren G. Hearing in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The Canadian Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2007 Fall;14(3):e307-12. Epub 2007 Nov 1. [this article is available free online through Pubmed.gov]
Hearing Loss. http://www.otolaryngology.com/hearingloss.html. Accessed January 2010.
