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 holds. But the bright side is: With early detection and treatment, infants with hearing loss can thrive. 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 infants with hearing impairments.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Hearing loss in infants can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Problems that might occur during childbirth, such as oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is crucial. That’s why babies in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before they leave the hospital. Pediatric specialists follow “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 critical for babies to achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. For personalized guidance on these screenings, 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 varying degrees of hearing loss. These tiny, portable devices boost audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for infants just a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adapt according to the baby’s growth
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery doors and pediatric-specific features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your infant grows, it will be necessary to regularly update and modify the hearing aids to ensure they fit correctly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant may be suggested for a baby with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not obtain adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Convert sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Achieve best results in combination with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Only recommended after a complete assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This process includes imaging, hearing tests, and conversations about long-term expectations and outcomes.
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
Comparing Sound Enhancement Solutions: A Final Analysis
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, numerous choices and resources are available to assist you get through this experience. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, the majority of young patients are able to obtain language abilities that are equivalent 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 wellness? Contact us now to schedule a complete evaluation and customized 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.
