Learning that a newborn has hearing loss can be an upsetting and emotionally difficult experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future has in store. Babies with hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and intervention, which is good news. Yes, they can even develop language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, resulting in a vibrant, rewarding life!
Two of the most effective solutions for supporting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants. Below, we take a look at how they work and how to know which one is best for your child.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in infants can be caused by a range of factors, including:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Problems that may occur during childbirth, such as oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
Early detection is crucial. That’s why infants in the United States are screened for hearing loss before they leave the hospital. Pediatric professionals follow “1-3-6” hearing protocol.
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) started by 6 months
Reaching these developmental milestones is essential for infants to reach optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. 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 avenue of treatment. These tiny, portable devices boost audio signals, enabling infants to better detect and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Suitable for infants just a few weeks old
- Designed with soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
- Offering secure battery compartments and child-friendly design features
- Specifically individualized by a pediatric hearing expert to fit your child’s distinct auditory needs
As your baby grows, it will be necessary to routinely update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit correctly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant may be suggested for a baby with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are embedded with a surgical procedure
- Recover hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Most successful when coupled with early treatment and family support
- Recommended only after a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure involves the use of imaging, auditory examinations, and dialogues regarding future prospects 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
Comparing Sound Enhancement Options: A Final Analysis
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and a lot of support. With the assistance of pediatric hearing specialists, lots of children go on to establish language skills that are on par with their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early intervention can make a lifelong difference.
Have questions about your child’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.
