Discovering that an infant has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally difficult experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future holds. But the bright side is: With early detection and treatment, babies with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are able to gaining linguistic skills, refining their communication skills, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, inevitably giving rise to a rich and fulfilling existence.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly helpful tools for helping babies with hearing impairments. Below, we take a look at how they work and how to know which one is best for your child.
Comprehending Hearing Loss in Babies
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous aspects to think about:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Issues that might occur during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications commonly administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
Early detection is crucial. Babies in the United States go through hearing loss screening before being discharged from the hospital. Pediatric hearing experts follow the “1-3-6” guideline:
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) started by 6 months
Reaching these developmental milestones is critical for babies to reach optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. For individualized advice on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Infants
For babies with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently 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:
- Suitable for infants just a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s development
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your infant grows, it will be necessary to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to ensure they fit correctly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
If a baby has severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t benefit enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be recommended.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Restore hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Most effective when coupled with early therapy and family support
- Suggested only after a thorough evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process includes the use of imaging, auditory examinations, and dialogues relating to future prospects and results
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 baby, a number of choices and resources are available to assist you get through this journey. Thanks to 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.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early intervention can make a lifelong difference.
Do you have any concerns regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? Contact us now to set up a complete assessment and tailored treatment 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.