Learning that a newborn has hearing loss can be a devastating 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 treatment, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, resulting in a vibrant, rewarding life!
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for assisting babies with hearing impairments. Below, we will have a look at how they work and how to know which one is right for your child.
Comprehending Hearing Loss in Babies
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various factors to think about:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Issues that may arise during childbirth, such as oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
The most significant step? Early diagnosis. Infants in the United States go through hearing loss assessment before being released from 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
Meeting these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for strong speech, language, and brain development. If you need advice on these screenings, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Infants
For babies with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are frequently the first line of treatment. These tiny, portable devices amplify audio signals, allowing infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for newborns just a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s development
- Outfitted 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 develops, it will be required to routinely update and modify the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly 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 adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are embedded with a surgical procedure
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Convert sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Most successful when paired with early treatment and family support
- Suggested only after a thorough assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process involves the use of imaging, hearing examinations, and dialogues regarding future prospects 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
Comparing Sound Enhancement Solutions: A Final Analysis
After a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, numerous solutions and resources are accessible to assist you get through this journey. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, the majority of young patients are able to obtain language abilities that are comparable to those of their peers.
Taking swift action can have a profound and lasting effect on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they need hearing aids or cochlear implants to address their hearing needs.
Do you have any concerns regarding your infant’s hearing health? 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.