Learning that an infant has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally difficult experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future has in store. But the good news is: With early diagnosis and treatment, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong relationships with the world around them, leading to a dynamic, rewarding life!
Two of the most reliable solutions for assisting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various factors to think about:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Problems that may occur during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications commonly administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early detection. Babies in the United States go through hearing loss screening before being discharged from 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 infants the best chance for strong speech, language, and brain development. For personalized advice on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies
For infants with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first line of treatment. These little, wearable devices boost sound, helping infants hear speech and environmental sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for infants as young as a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
- Featuring secure battery compartments and child-friendly design features
- Specifically tailored by a pediatric hearing professional to fit your child’s unique auditory needs
As your baby grows, it will be necessary to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant may be suggested for a baby with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically implanted
- Recover hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly stimulate the hearing nerve
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 after a complete assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes the use of imaging, hearing exams, and discussions regarding future prospects and results
How Cochlear Implants Contrast from Traditional 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 baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and a lot of support. With the assistance of pediatric hearing experts, lots of children go on to establish language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking swift action can have a profound and long lasting impact on a child’s life, regardless of whether they need hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Have questions about your child’s hearing health? Get in touch with to us today for a complete evaluation and individualized 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.