Discovering that a newborn has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future has in store. Infants with hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is positive news. Indeed, they are capable of gaining linguistic skills, refining their communication skills, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, inevitably giving rise to a rich and fulfilling life.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for helping infants with hearing loss. Below, we will have a look at how they function and how to know which one is best for your child.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous factors to think about:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Complications at birth, including lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early diagnosis. That’s why infants in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before they leave the hospital. Pediatric hearing experts 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 strong speech, language, and brain development. If you need advice on these screenings, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
Hearing aids are usually the initial treatment solution for babies who have varying degrees of hearing loss. These tiny, portable devices boost audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Suitable for newborns just a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s development
- Offering secure battery compartments and child-friendly design features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your baby grows, it will be required to routinely update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
If a baby has extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t improve enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant might be recommended.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically implanted
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Translate sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Accomplish best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Recommended only after a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process includes imaging, hearing exams, and conversations about long-term expectations and outcomes.
How Cochlear Implants Differ 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
Comparing Sound Enhancement Options: A Final Analysis
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have options and a lot of assistance. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, most young patients are able to acquire language abilities that are comparable to those of their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early action can make a lifelong difference.
Do you have any concerns regarding your infant’s hearing health? Call us now to set up a comprehensive assessment and customized 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.
