Learning that an infant has hearing loss can be an upsetting and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future holds. But the good news is: With early detection and treatment, babies with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are capable of gaining linguistic abilities, refining their communication skills, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, ultimately giving rise to a rich and satisfying life.
Two of the most reliable solutions for assisting babies with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Comprehending Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in babies can be caused by a range of factors, including:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Infections present at birth including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Issues that might occur during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most significant step? Early detection. That’s why infants in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric professionals 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
Meeting these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for strong speech, language, and brain development. If you need advice on these assessments, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For babies with mild to extreme hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first avenue of treatment. These little, portable devices boost audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for newborns just a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s growth
- Outfitted with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- Specially individualized by a pediatric hearing specialist to fit your child’s unique hearing needs
As your infant develops, it will be required to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to ensure they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant may 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 embedded with a surgical procedure
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Translate sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Most successful when paired with early therapy and family support
- Only suggested following a complete evaluation by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing tests, and conversations about long-term expectations and outcomes.
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
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Concluding Thoughts
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, a number of solutions and resources are available to assist you get through this journey. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, most young patients are able to obtain language skills that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Taking swift action can have a far-reaching 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.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? Call 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.