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 diagnosis and treatment, which is positive 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 satisfying existence.
Two of the most reliable solutions for supporting babies with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants. We’ll explore how they work and offer guidance on choosing the ideal option for your child’s needs.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in infants can be triggered by a range of factors, including:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Genetic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Problems that might arise during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most important step? Early detection. Infants in the United States go through hearing loss screening before being discharged from the hospital. Pediatric specialists follow “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- 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 opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. For individualized guidance on these screenings, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies
Hearing aids are frequently the initial treatment option for infants who have differing degrees of hearing loss. These tiny, portable devices amplify audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for babies as young as a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s growth
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- Specially individualized by a pediatric hearing expert to fit your child’s unique hearing needs
As your infant develops, it will be required to routinely update and modify the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
If an infant has severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t benefit enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be suggested.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are embedded with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for infants as young as 9-12 months
- Accomplish best results in combination with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Recommended only after a thorough evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process involves the use of imaging, auditory examinations, and discussions relating to future prospects and results
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
If your baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and a lot of support. With the help of pediatric hearing specialists, lots of children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking swift action can have a profound and long lasting effect on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Have questions about your child’s hearing health? Contact us now to set up a comprehensive evaluation 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.