For parents of newborns, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and disheartening. Babies with hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and intervention, which is positive news. Indeed, they are capable of acquiring linguistic skills, improving their communication skills, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, inevitably bring about a rich and fulfilling life.
Two of the most effective solutions for supporting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous aspects to consider:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Genetic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Complications during birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is critical. Infants in the United States go through hearing loss assessment before being discharged from the hospital. Pediatric professionals follow “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) begun by 6 months
Reaching these developmental milestones is crucial for infants to reach optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. If you need advice on these assessments, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For babies with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first line of treatment. These small, wearable devices amplify sound, helping babies hear speech and external sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for newborns just a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s growth
- Featuring secure battery compartments and child-friendly design elements
- Specifically tailored by a pediatric hearing professional to fit your child’s distinct hearing needs
As your baby develops, it will be necessary to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to ensure they fit correctly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant might be recommended for a baby with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically implanted
- Bypass 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 successful when paired with early therapy and family support
- Only suggested following a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and conversations about long-term expectations and results.
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 Solutions: A Final Analysis
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your infant, numerous solutions and resources are available to assist you get through this journey. With the assistance of pediatric hearing specialists, lots of 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 intervention can make a long-lasting difference.
Have questions about your baby’s hearing health? Reach out to us today for a complete 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.