For parents of infants, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and discouraging. But the good news is: With early detection and intervention, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong relationships with the world around them, resulting in a dynamic, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two extremely beneficial tools for assisting babies with hearing loss. Below, we will have a look at how they function and how to know which one is right for your child.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various factors to think about:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Issues that might arise during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early diagnosis. That’s why babies in the United States are screened for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric specialists adhere to “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) started by 6 months
Achieving these milestones gives babies the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. For individualized guidance on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Infants
Hearing aids are usually the first treatment option for infants who have varying degrees of hearing impairment. These tiny, portable devices boost audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for infants as young as a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s growth
- Featuring 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 infant develops, it will be necessary to routinely update and modify the hearing aids to ensure they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant might be recommended for an infant with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not obtain sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Convert audio into electric impulses that directly stimulate the hearing nerve
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- FDA-approved for infants as young as 9-12 months
- Most successful when paired with early therapy and family support
- Suggested only after a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and conversations about long-term expectations and results.
How Cochlear Implants Differ 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 Solutions: A Final Analysis
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have options and plenty of support. With the help of pediatric hearing experts, lots of children go on to establish language skills that are on par with 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 baby’s hearing health? Reach out to us today for a complete 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.