Discovering that an infant has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future holds. But the good news is: With early detection and intervention, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are able to acquiring linguistic skills, improving their communication techniques, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, ultimately giving rise to a rich and satisfying life.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two extremely beneficial tools for helping infants with hearing loss. Below, we take a look at how they function and how to know which one is right for your child.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in infants can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Genetic infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Issues that might occur during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early detection. That’s why babies in the United States are screened for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric professionals follow “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 infants to achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. If you need advice on these screenings, your pediatrician will be happy to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies
For babies with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first avenue of treatment. These little, 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
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s development
- 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 develops, it will be required to routinely update and modify the hearing aids to guarantee they fit correctly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
If a baby 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 embedded with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly stimulate the hearing nerve
Cochlear implants are:
- Approved by the FDA for use in babies aged 9 to 12 months
- Most successful when paired with early therapy and family support
- Recommended only after a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure involves the use of imaging, hearing exams, 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
Comparing Sound Enhancement Options: A Final Analysis
If your baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have options and plenty of support. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, the majority of young patients are able to acquire language abilities that are comparable to those of their peers.
Taking swift action can have a profound and lasting effect on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to address their hearing needs.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing health? Get in touch with to us today for a full evaluation 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.