Discovering that a newborn has hearing loss can be a devastating and emotionally difficult experience for many parents, leaving them feeling lost and uncertain about what the future holds. But the good news is: With early diagnosis and treatment, infants with hearing loss can thrive. Indeed, they are able to gaining linguistic abilities, improving their communication techniques, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, inevitably giving rise to a rich and fulfilling life.
Two of the most effective solutions for supporting babies with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants. Below, we will have a look at how they function and how to know which one is best for your child.
Understanding Infant Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in infants can be triggered by a range of factors, including:
- Hereditary characteristics (even in the absence of a family background)
- Infections present at birth like cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella.
- Complications during birth, including lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is crucial. That’s why babies in the United States are screened for hearing loss before they leave 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 babies the best chance for strong speech, language, and brain development. If you need advice on these screenings, your pediatrician will be happy to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For babies with mild to extreme hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first avenue of treatment. These tiny, portable devices amplify audio signals, allowing 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 development
- Featuring secure battery doors and child-friendly design elements
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to fit your child’s hearing profile
As your baby grows, it will be required to routinely update and tweak the hearing aids to guarantee they fit properly and work effectively.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
If an infant has extreme to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t benefit enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be suggested.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are embedded with a surgical procedure
- Circumvent damaged parts of the inner ear
- Translate sound into electrical signals that stimulate the auditory nerve directly
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- FDA-approved for babies as young as 9-12 months
- Most effective when paired with early treatment and family support
- Only recommended after a complete assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing tests, and conversations about long-term expectations 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
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Final Thoughts
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your baby, numerous choices and resources are accessible to help you get through this journey. With the help of pediatric hearing specialists, lots of children go on to develop language skills that are on par with their peers.
Whether your child is a candidate for hearing aids or cochlear implants, early action can make a lifelong difference.
Have questions about your baby’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.