Discovering that an infant has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally challenging experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and unclear about what the future has in store. But the good news is: With early detection and intervention, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Yes, they can even develop language, communication skills, and strong relationships with the world around them, resulting in a dynamic, rewarding life!
Two of the most effective solutions for supporting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants. We’ll discover how they work and provide guidance on choosing the best option for your child’s needs.
Comprehending 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)
- Genetic infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Issues that might arise 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 hearing professionals follow the “1-3-6” standard:
- 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 healthy 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 often the first avenue of treatment. These little, portable devices amplify audio signals, enabling infants to better hear and understand voices and surrounding noises.
Hearing aids are:
- Appropriate for newborns just a few weeks old
- Crafted with gentle, cozy earpieces that adapt according to the baby’s growth
- Offering secure battery compartments and child-friendly design features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your infant develops, it will be necessary to routinely update and tweak the hearing aids to ensure they fit correctly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Babies
A cochlear implant may be recommended for a baby with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not receive sufficient benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Translate sound into electrical signals that energize the auditory nerve directly
Cochlear implants are:
- FDA-approved for infants as young as 9-12 months
- Accomplish best results in tandem with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Recommended only after a comprehensive evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This process involves the use of imaging, hearing examinations, and discussions regarding future prospects and results
How Cochlear Implants Contrast from Traditional 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 Options: A Final Analysis
After a diagnosis of hearing loss in your infant, a number of choices and resources are available to assist you get through this experience. Thanks to the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, most young patients are able to acquire language skills that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Taking prompt action can have a far-reaching 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 concerns regarding your infant’s hearing health? Call us now to schedule a comprehensive 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.