For parents of infants, finding out that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and discouraging. Babies who have hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is positive news. Indeed, they are able to acquiring linguistic abilities, improving their communication techniques, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, inevitably bring about a rich and fulfilling life.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two extremely beneficial tools for helping babies with hearing impairments. We’ll discover how they function and offer guidance on selecting the best solution for your child’s needs.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various aspects to consider:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Problems that may arise during childbirth, such as oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
The most significant step? Early diagnosis. That’s why infants in the United States are screened for hearing loss before leaving 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
Achieving these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for healthy speech, language, and brain development. If you need guidance on these screenings, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies
Hearing aids are frequently the first treatment solution for infants who have varying degrees of hearing loss. These small, wearable devices boost sound, helping babies hear speech and environmental sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for infants as young as a few weeks old
- Designed with gentle, cozy earpieces that adjust according to the baby’s growth
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- Specially tailored by a pediatric hearing specialist to fit your child’s distinct hearing needs
As your baby develops, it will be necessary to regularly update and modify the hearing aids to guarantee they fit correctly and work properly.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
If a baby has extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t benefit enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant might be suggested.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are surgically embeded
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- FDA-approved for infants as young as 9-12 months
- Achieve best results in combination with therapy at an early stage and family support
- Suggested only after a thorough evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure involves the use of imaging, hearing examinations, and dialogues relating to future prospects and results
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
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Concluding Thoughts
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your infant, a number of choices and resources are available to assist you get through this experience. With the assistance of pediatric hearing experts, many children go on to establish language skills that are on par with their peers.
Taking swift action can have a far-reaching and lasting impact 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 wellness? Call us now to set up a complete evaluation and tailored treatment 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.