For parents of newborns, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and disheartening. But the bright side is: With early detection and intervention, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, leading to a dynamic, rewarding life!

Hearing aids and cochlear implants are two highly beneficial tools for helping babies with hearing impairments. We’ll explore how they function and provide guidance on selecting the ideal solution for your child’s needs.

Understanding Infant Hearing Loss

Causes of infant hearing loss: Numerous aspects to think about:

• Genetic factors (even without a family history)
• Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
• Issues that may occur during childbirth, such as oxygen deprivation or premature birth.
• Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care

Early diagnosis is critical. That’s why babies in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric professionals 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 crucial for infants to achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. For personalized advice on these assessments, don’t wait to reach out to your pediatrician.

Hearing Aids for Infants

Hearing aids are frequently the initial treatment option for babies who have differing degrees of hearing loss. These little, portable devices amplify audio signals, enabling infants to better detect and comprehend voices and surrounding noises.

Hearing aids are:

• Safe for babies as young as a few weeks old
• Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that adjust as the baby grows
• Offering secure battery doors and child-friendly design elements
• Specifically individualized by a pediatric hearing professional to fit your child’s distinct hearing needs

As your baby grows, hearing aids will need to be adjusted regularly to guarantee proper fit and performance.

Cochlear Implants for Infants

A cochlear implant may 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 implanted
• Restore hearing by bypassing inner ear damage
• Convert audio into electric impulses that directly activate the hearing nerve

Advantages of Cochlear Implants:

• Approved by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
• Achieve best results in combination with therapy at an early stage and family support
• Recommended only after a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist

This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and conversations about long-term expectations and results.

How Cochlear Implants Contrast 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

If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have solutions and plenty of support. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, the majority of young patients are able to obtain language skills that are comparable to those of their peers.

Taking swift action can have a far-reaching and lasting impact on a child’s life, regardless of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.

Have questions about your baby’s hearing health? Call us now to set up a complete assessment and customized 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.