Learning that an infant has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future has in store. But the bright side is: With early detection and treatment, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are capable of gaining linguistic abilities, improving their communication techniques, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, ultimately bring about a rich and satisfying existence.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two extremely helpful tools for helping babies with hearing impairments.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various factors to consider:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Congenital infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Issues that might arise during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is critical. That’s why babies in the United States are screened for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric hearing professionals follow the “1-3-6” standard:
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) begun by 6 months
Achieving these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for strong speech, language, and brain development. If you need advice on these assessments, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies
For babies with mild to extreme hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first line of treatment. These tiny, portable devices boost audio signals, allowing infants to better hear and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for infants as young as a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s growth
- Outfitted with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Specifically tailored by a pediatric hearing professional to fit your child’s unique hearing needs
As your baby grows, hearing aids will need to be adjusted regularly to guarantee correct fit and effectiveness.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
If a baby has extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t benefit enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be recommended.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are implanted with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Accomplish best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Suggested only after a thorough evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure involves the use of imaging, hearing exams, and dialogues regarding future prospects and results
How Cochlear Implants Contrast from Conventional Hearing Aids
Hearing aids:
- Mild to severe hearing loss
- Non-Invasive
- Sound processing amplification
- Starts at Infancy
Cochlear Implants:
- Severe to profound hearing loss
- Invasive (Surgical)
- Converts Sound Electrical Signals
- Starts at 9-12 Months
Comparing Sound Enhancement Options: A Concluding Analysis
If your baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and a lot of assistance. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, the majority of young patients are able to obtain language abilities that are comparable to those of their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early action can make a lifelong difference.
Have questions about your child’s hearing health? Contact us now to schedule a complete evaluation and customized treatment strategy.
Sources:
cdc.gov/ hearing-loss-children-guide/ parents-guide/understanding-hearing-loss. html.
boystownhospital.org/knowledge-center/hearing-aids-babies.
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cochlear-implants/childrens-.
cochlear-implants.
dukehealth.org/blog/hearing-aids-vs-cochlear-implants.