Learning that an infant has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future has in store. Babies who have hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is positive news. Indeed, they are able to gaining linguistic abilities, improving their communication techniques, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, inevitably giving rise to a rich and satisfying life.
Two of the most useful tools for assisting babies with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants. We’ll explore how they work and offer guidance on selecting the ideal solution for your child’s needs.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Hearing loss in infants can be triggered by a range of factors, including:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Complications at birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Medications commonly administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early detection. That’s why infants in the United States are screened 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 achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. If you need guidance on these assessments, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Infants
Hearing aids are usually the initial treatment solution for babies who have varying degrees of hearing loss. These small, wearable devices boost sound, helping infants hear speech and environmental sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for newborns just a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adapt according to the baby’s development
- Offering secure battery doors and child-friendly design features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your infant grows, it will be required to routinely update and modify the hearing aids to ensure they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
If an infant has extreme 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 implanted with a surgical procedure
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Convert audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve
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 procedure involves 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
Comparing Sound Enhancement Solutions: A Concluding Analysis
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and plenty of support. With the assistance of pediatric hearing specialists, lots of children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking prompt action can have a far-reaching and long lasting effect on a child’s life, regardless of whether they need hearing aids or cochlear implants to address their hearing needs.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? Reach out to us today for a full evaluation and individualized 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.