For parents of newborns, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and disheartening. Infants who have hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is positive news. Yes, they can even develop language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, resulting in a dynamic, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for helping babies with hearing impairments. We’ll discover how they work and provide guidance on choosing the best solution for your child’s needs.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Babies
Hearing loss in infants can be triggered by a range of factors, including:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Infections present at birth like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications during birth, including lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most significant step? Early detection. That’s why babies in the United States are screened for hearing loss before leaving 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
Meeting these milestones gives babies the best chance for strong speech, language, and brain development. For personalized advice on these screenings, don’t wait to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Infants
Hearing aids are frequently the first treatment solution for infants who have varying degrees of hearing loss. These little, portable devices amplify audio signals, allowing infants to better hear and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for babies as young as a few weeks old
- Designed with soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your baby grows, it will be necessary to routinely update and tweak the hearing aids to ensure they fit correctly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant might be suggested for a baby with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not obtain sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are implanted with a surgical procedure
- Restore hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
- Translate sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- Approved by the FDA for use in babies aged 9 to 12 months
- Achieve best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Recommended only after a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing tests, and discussions about long-term expectations and results.
How Cochlear Implants Differ from Conventional 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: Concluding Thoughts
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, a number of solutions and resources are available to assist you get through this journey. With the assistance of pediatric hearing experts, lots of children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early action can make a long-lasting difference.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? Get in touch with to us today for a full 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.