Audiologist Role in Congenital Cytomegalovirus

Many years ago, as a new audiologist and before the advent of mandated universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS), I (A.S.) had, as one of my first patients, an infant with sloping, high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. In reviewing his birth history and talking with his mother, I learned that he was born with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). His mother had worked in childcare while pregnant where she likely contracted CMV. She had read a lot about cCMV and was grateful that hearing loss was the only presenting symptom for her son. Although cCMV was known to cause hearing loss at that time, there has been increased attention to the impact of cCMV in recent years as well as options for prevention, screening, and treatment. Much of the advocacy for increasing education and early identification of cCMV has been driven by parents of children born with cCMV, as evidenced by groups such as the National CMV Foundation. Audiologists are key members of interprofessional teams supporting children and families impacted by cCMV and have become critical contributors to screening and advocacy efforts.

Audiologists are key members of interprofessional teams supporting children and families impacted by cCMV and have become critical contributors to screening advocacy efforts.