Learning that an infant has hearing loss can be an upsetting and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future has in store. But the bright side is: With early detection and intervention, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong relationships with the world around them, leading to a vibrant, rewarding life!
Two of the most effective tools for assisting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Hearing loss in babies can be caused by a range of factors, including:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Issues that may arise during childbirth, including oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is crucial. Babies in the United States go through hearing loss assessment before being released from the hospital. Pediatric specialists adhere to “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) begun by 6 months
Reaching these developmental milestones is crucial for infants to achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. For individualized guidance on these screenings, don’t wait to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Infants
For babies with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first avenue of treatment. These little, wearable devices amplify sound, helping babies hear speech and external sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for infants as young as a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
- Outfitted with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your baby grows, it will be necessary to routinely update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant may be suggested for an infant with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are implanted with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- FDA-approved for infants as young as 9-12 months
- Achieve best results in combination with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Recommended only after a thorough assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process involves the use of imaging, hearing exams, and dialogues regarding future prospects and results
How Cochlear Implants Differ 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
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Final Thoughts
If your baby has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and a lot of assistance. Thanks to the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, the majority of young patients are able to obtain language abilities that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Taking swift action can have a profound and long lasting effect on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Have questions about your baby’s hearing health? Reach out to us today for a complete assessment 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.
