For parents of newborns, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and discouraging. Infants with hearing loss can do well with early detection and treatment, which is positive news. Indeed, they are able to acquiring linguistic skills, refining 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 helpful tools for assisting infants with hearing loss.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous factors to think about:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Infections present at birth like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications at birth, including lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early detection is crucial. That’s why infants in the United States are evaluated 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) started by 6 months
Meeting these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. If you need advice on these screenings, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
Hearing aids are usually the initial treatment option for babies who have differing degrees of hearing loss. These little, wearable devices boost sound, helping babies hear speech and environmental sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for infants just a few weeks old
- Designed with soft, comfortable ear molds that adjust as the baby grows
- Outfitted with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Specially tailored by a pediatric hearing expert to fit your child’s distinct auditory needs
As your infant develops, hearing aids will need to be calibrated regularly to guarantee correct fit and performance.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant might be recommended for an infant with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Bypass damaged parts of the inner ear
- Convert sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- Approved by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
- Accomplish best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Suggested only after a comprehensive evaluation 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
Comparing Sound Enhancement Options: A Concluding Analysis
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your infant, a number of solutions and resources are accessible to assist you get through this journey. With the help of pediatric hearing specialists, lots of children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking swift action can have a far-reaching and long lasting effect 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 baby’s hearing health? Reach out to us today for a complete 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.