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. Babies who have hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is positive news. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, resulting in a dynamic, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two extremely helpful tools for assisting infants with hearing impairments.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in infants can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Infections present at birth like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Issues that might occur during childbirth, such as oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most important 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
Reaching these developmental milestones is critical for babies to reach optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. If you need guidance on these screenings, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Infants
Hearing aids are frequently the first treatment option for infants who have differing degrees of hearing loss. These tiny, portable devices boost audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for babies as young as a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adapt according to the baby’s growth
- Outfitted with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- 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 modify the hearing aids to ensure they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant may be recommended for an infant with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not receive adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are embedded with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Convert 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 tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Only suggested following a complete evaluation by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and conversations about long-term expectations and outcomes.
How Cochlear Implants Differ 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
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, numerous choices and resources are available to help you get through this experience. With the assistance of pediatric hearing experts, 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.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing health? Reach out to us today for a complete assessment and personalized 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.