For parents of infants, finding out that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and discouraging. Infants with hearing loss can do well with early detection and intervention, which is good news. Yes, they can even cultivate language, communication skills, and strong connections with the world around them, leading to a vibrant, rewarding life!
Two of the most effective solutions for supporting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in infants can be caused by a range of factors, including:
- Genetic factors (even without a family history)
- Infections present at birth such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications at birth, including lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Medications often administered in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
Early detection is critical. Infants in the United States undergo hearing loss assessment before being discharged from the hospital. Pediatric hearing professionals follow the “1-3-6” guideline:
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) started by 6 months
Meeting these milestones gives infants the best opportunity for strong speech, language, and brain development. For personalized advice on these screenings, don’t wait to reach out to your pediatrician.
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
Hearing aids are usually the first treatment option for babies who have varying degrees of hearing loss. 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
- Equipped with tamper-proof battery compartments and pediatric-specific features
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your infant develops, it will be necessary to routinely update and modify the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant may be suggested for an infant with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get sufficient 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 infants as young as 9-12 months
- Most effective when coupled with early treatment and family support
- Suggested only after a thorough evaluation by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and discussions about long-term expectations and outcomes.
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
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, a number of choices and resources are available to assist you navigate this experience. Because of the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, most young patients are able to acquire language skills that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early intervention can make a lifelong difference.
Have questions about your child’s hearing health? Call us now to set up a comprehensive 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.