For parents of infants, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and disheartening. Infants with hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and treatment, which is good news. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, resulting in a vibrant, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for helping babies with hearing loss. We’ll discover how they work and provide guidance on selecting the ideal solution for your child’s needs.
Comprehending Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various aspects to think about:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Congenital infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Problems that might arise during childbirth, such as oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most significant step? Early diagnosis. 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” standard:
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) begun by 6 months
Meeting these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. For personalized advice on these assessments, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies
For infants with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first line of treatment. These little, portable devices boost audio signals, enabling 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 adapt according to the baby’s growth
- Featuring secure battery compartments and child-friendly design features
- Specially tailored by a pediatric hearing specialist to fit your child’s distinct hearing needs
As your baby grows, it will be required to regularly update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit correctly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
If a baby has severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t improve enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be recommended.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Recover hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Convert audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve
Cochlear implants are:
- Approved by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
- Most successful when paired with early treatment and family support
- Recommended only after a thorough assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process involves the use of imaging, auditory exams, and discussions 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 Options: A Final Analysis
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have options and plenty of assistance. With the help of pediatric hearing specialists, many children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking swift action can have a far-reaching and long lasting impact on a child’s life, regardless of whether they need hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Have questions about your baby’s hearing health? Contact us now to set up 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.
