Learning that a newborn 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. Infants with hearing loss can do well with early detection and treatment, which is good news. Indeed, they are capable of gaining linguistic abilities, refining their communication skills, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, inevitably bring about a rich and fulfilling life.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly helpful tools for helping babies with hearing impairments. Below, we will have a look at how they function and how to know which one is right for your child.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various factors to consider:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Genetic infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Issues that might arise during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most important step? Early diagnosis. That’s why babies 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
Meeting these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for strong speech, language, and brain development. For individualized advice on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For infants with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first avenue of treatment. These small, wearable devices amplify sound, helping babies hear speech and environmental sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for babies as young as a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Specifically tailored by a pediatric hearing professional to fit your child’s unique hearing needs
As your infant grows, hearing aids will need to be calibrated regularly to ensure proper fit and effectiveness.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant may be recommended for a baby with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not obtain adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically implanted
- Bypass damaged parts of the inner ear
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve
Advantages of Cochlear Implants:
- Endorsed by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
- Accomplish best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Recommended only after a thorough evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process includes the use of imaging, hearing exams, and dialogues regarding 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 Solutions: A Concluding Analysis
If your baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and plenty of assistance. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, the majority of 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 wellness? Call us now to schedule a comprehensive evaluation 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.