For parents of infants, finding out that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and disheartening. But the good news is: With early diagnosis and treatment, babies with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are able to gaining linguistic abilities, improving their communication techniques, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, ultimately bring about a rich and fulfilling life.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for helping babies with hearing loss.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in babies can be caused by a range of factors, including:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Problems that might occur during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early detection. 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
Meeting these milestones gives babies the best chance 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
Hearing aids are usually the initial treatment option for babies who have differing degrees of hearing loss. These little, wearable devices boost sound, helping infants hear speech and external sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for newborns just a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that adjust as the baby grows
- Outfitted with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your infant develops, it will be necessary to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to ensure they fit correctly and work properly.
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 might be suggested.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are embedded with a surgical procedure
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Convert sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Advantages of Cochlear Implants:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Achieve best results in combination with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Only suggested following a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and discussions about long-term expectations and outcomes.
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
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Concluding Thoughts
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have options and a lot of assistance. Thanks to the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, most young patients are able to acquire language skills that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Taking prompt action can have a profound and long lasting impact on a child’s life, regardless of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Have questions about your child’s hearing health? Reach out to us today for a full assessment 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.