Discovering that a newborn has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future holds. Infants with hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and treatment, which is positive news. Yes, they can even develop language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, resulting in a vibrant, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly helpful tools for assisting infants with hearing impairments. We’ll discover how they function and offer guidance on choosing the best solution for your child’s needs.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Hearing loss in babies can be triggered by a range of factors, including:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Infections present at birth like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications during birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most significant step? Early diagnosis. Infants in the United States undergo hearing loss screening before being released from the hospital. Pediatric professionals follow “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) begun by 6 months
Reaching these developmental milestones is crucial for babies to reach optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. For individualized advice on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
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 detect and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for babies as young as a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s development
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Specifically tailored by a pediatric hearing expert to fit your child’s unique hearing needs
As your baby grows, it will be required to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit correctly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant might be suggested for an infant with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not receive sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are embedded with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by circumventing 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
- Most successful when paired with early treatment and family support
- Suggested only after a thorough assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and conversations about long-term expectations and results.
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: What’s the Difference?
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
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Final Thoughts
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and a lot of support. With the help of pediatric hearing experts, many children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking prompt action can have a far-reaching and long lasting impact on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they need hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Do you have any concerns regarding your infant’s hearing health? Contact us now to schedule a complete assessment and customized treatment plan.
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.
