For parents of infants, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and discouraging. But the good news is: With early detection and intervention, babies with hearing loss can thrive. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, leading to a vibrant, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly helpful tools for assisting infants with hearing impairments. We’ll explore how they function and provide guidance on selecting the best option for your child’s needs.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous aspects to consider:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications at birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early detection is crucial. That’s why infants in the United States are screened for hearing loss before they leave 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 essential for babies to achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. If you need advice on these screenings, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Infants
For infants with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first avenue 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 elements
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your infant develops, hearing aids will need to be calibrated regularly to ensure proper fit and effectiveness.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant might be suggested for an infant with extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not obtain sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Bypass damaged parts of the inner ear
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve
Advantages of Cochlear Implants:
- Endorsed by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
- Most effective when paired with early therapy and family support
- Suggested only after a thorough evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and conversations about long-term expectations and outcomes.
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 Concluding Analysis
If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and plenty of support. With the help of pediatric hearing specialists, many children go on to establish language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking prompt action can have a profound and lasting impact on a child’s life, regardless of whether they need hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Do you have any inquiries regarding your infant’s hearing health? Call us now to set up a complete assessment and tailored treatment strategy.
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.