For parents of newborns, finding out that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and discouraging. But the good news is: With early diagnosis and intervention, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are able to gaining linguistic abilities, refining their communication techniques, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, ultimately bring about a rich and fulfilling existence.
Two of the most useful tools for supporting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous factors to consider:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Complications at birth, including lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most significant step? Early detection. Infants in the United States undergo hearing loss assessment before being released from 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) begun by 6 months
Achieving these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. For individualized advice on these assessments, don’t wait to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Infants
Hearing aids are usually the first treatment solution for babies who have differing degrees of hearing impairment. These tiny, portable devices amplify audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for infants just a few weeks old
- Designed with soft, comfortable ear molds that adjust as the baby grows
- Offering secure battery doors and child-friendly design features
- Specially individualized by a pediatric hearing professional to fit your child’s unique auditory needs
As your infant develops, hearing aids will need to be adjusted regularly to ensure proper fit and performance.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
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
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Most successful when paired with early treatment and family support
- Only suggested after a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure involves the use of imaging, auditory examinations, and dialogues relating to future prospects and results
How Cochlear Implants Contrast from Traditional 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 Concluding Analysis
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, a number of choices and resources are accessible to help you navigate this experience. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, most young patients are able to acquire language skills that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early intervention can make a lifelong difference.
Do you have any concerns regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? Reach out to us today for a complete assessment 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.