Learning that a newborn has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future holds. Babies with hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and intervention, which is good news. Indeed, they are capable of acquiring linguistic skills, improving 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 extremely helpful tools for assisting infants with hearing impairments.
Comprehending Hearing Loss in Babies
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various aspects to think about:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Genetic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Issues that may arise during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most significant step? Early detection. That’s why babies in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before they leave 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) started by 6 months
Achieving these milestones gives babies the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. For individualized advice on these screenings, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For infants with mild to extreme hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first avenue 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
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s development
- Outfitted with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- Specially tailored by a pediatric hearing expert to fit your child’s unique hearing needs
As your baby grows, hearing aids will need to be calibrated regularly to guarantee correct fit and effectiveness.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant might be suggested for an infant 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
Cochlear implants are:
- Approved by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
- Most effective when paired with early therapy and family support
- Only recommended following a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This process includes imaging, hearing tests, and discussions about long-term expectations 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
If your baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and plenty of assistance. With the assistance of pediatric hearing specialists, many children go on to develop 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 long-lasting difference.
Have questions about your child’s hearing health? Call us now to set up a comprehensive evaluation 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.
