Discovering that an infant has hearing loss can be an upsetting and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future has in store. Babies who have hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is good news. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, resulting in a vibrant, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two extremely beneficial tools for assisting infants with hearing loss.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in babies can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Infections present at birth including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications during birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Medications commonly administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early diagnosis. Babies 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
Achieving these milestones gives babies the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. For individualized advice on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Infants
For babies with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first avenue of treatment. These tiny, portable devices amplify audio signals, enabling infants to better detect and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for infants just a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adapt according to the baby’s growth
- Offering secure battery compartments and child-friendly design features
- Specifically tailored by a pediatric hearing expert to fit your child’s unique auditory needs
As your baby grows, it will be necessary to regularly update and modify the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
If a baby has severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t improve enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant might be recommended.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Restore hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- Approved by the FDA for use in babies aged 9 to 12 months
- Most effective when coupled with early therapy and family support
- Suggested only after a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process includes the use of imaging, hearing examinations, and dialogues regarding future prospects 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 options and a lot of support. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, the majority of young patients are able to obtain language abilities that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early intervention can make a long-lasting difference.
Have questions about your baby’s hearing health? Get in touch with to us today for a full evaluation and personalized care 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.
