Learning that a newborn has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally difficult experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future has in store. Infants who have hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is good news. Indeed, they are able to acquiring linguistic abilities, refining their communication skills, and forming profound connections with their surroundings, inevitably bring about a rich and satisfying existence.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for assisting babies with hearing impairments.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various factors to consider:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications during birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early detection is critical. That’s why babies in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before leaving 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
Reaching these developmental milestones is critical for infants to achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. For individualized advice on these assessments, don’t wait to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
Hearing aids are frequently the initial treatment option for infants who have differing degrees of hearing impairment. These small, wearable devices amplify sound, helping infants hear speech and external sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for newborns just a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that adjust as the baby grows
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your baby grows, it will be required to regularly update and modify the hearing aids to guarantee they fit correctly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant might be suggested for a baby with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not receive adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically implanted
- Restore hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for infants as young as 9-12 months
- Achieve best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Only recommended after a complete assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing tests, and discussions about long-term expectations and results.
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: What’s the Difference?
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
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Concluding Thoughts
If your baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and plenty of support. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, most young patients are able to acquire language skills 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 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.