Discovering that an infant has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future has in store. Babies who have hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and treatment, which is good news. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong relationships with the world around them, leading to a vibrant, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for helping infants with hearing loss. We’ll explore how they work and provide guidance on selecting the best solution for your child’s needs.
Comprehending Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in babies can be triggered by a range of factors, including:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Genetic infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Complications during birth, including lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early detection. That’s why infants in the United States are screened for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric specialists follow “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) started by 6 months
Reaching these developmental milestones is crucial for infants to reach optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. For individualized guidance on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For babies with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first avenue of treatment. These tiny, portable devices boost audio signals, enabling infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for babies as young as a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adapt according to the baby’s development
- Offering secure battery doors and child-friendly design elements
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your baby grows, it will be required to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to ensure they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant might be recommended for a baby with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically implanted
- Bypass damaged parts of the inner ear
- Translate sound into electrical signals that stimulate 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
- Suggested only after a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process includes imaging, hearing tests, and conversations 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: Final Thoughts
After a diagnosis of hearing loss in your infant, numerous solutions and resources are available to help you navigate this journey. With the help of pediatric hearing experts, lots of 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 effect on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Have questions about your baby’s hearing health? Contact us now to schedule a comprehensive assessment and customized treatment strategy.
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.