Learning that a newborn has hearing loss can be an upsetting and emotionally difficult experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future has in store. But the good news is: With early diagnosis and treatment, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are able to gaining linguistic skills, refining their communication techniques, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, ultimately giving rise to a rich and fulfilling existence.
Two of the most effective solutions for assisting babies with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in babies can be triggered by a range of factors, including:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Issues that might arise during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is critical. That’s why infants in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before they leave the hospital. Pediatric hearing experts follow the “1-3-6” guideline:
- 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 healthy speech, language, and brain development. For individualized advice on these assessments, don’t wait to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For babies with mild to extreme hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first avenue of treatment. These tiny, portable devices amplify audio signals, allowing infants to better hear and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for infants just a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
- Featuring secure battery doors and child-friendly design elements
- Specifically tailored by a pediatric hearing specialist to fit your child’s unique auditory needs
As your infant grows, it will be necessary to routinely update and modify the hearing aids to ensure they fit properly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant might be suggested for an infant with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not receive adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are implanted with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- Approved by the FDA for use in babies aged 9 to 12 months
- Accomplish best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Only recommended following a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This process involves the use of imaging, hearing 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
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and plenty of assistance. Thanks to the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, most young patients are able to obtain language abilities 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 long-lasting difference.
Have questions about your child’s hearing health? Get in touch with to us today for a complete 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.