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

Two of the most reliable tools for assisting infants with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Comprehending Hearing Loss in Babies

Causes of infant hearing loss: Various aspects to consider:

• Genetic factors (even without a family history)
• Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
• Complications at birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
• Specific medications used in neonatal intensive care

Early detection is crucial. That’s why infants in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric hearing experts follow the “1-3-6” standard:

• Screened by 1 month
• Diagnosed by 3 months
• Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) started by 6 months

Reaching these developmental milestones is crucial for infants to achieve optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. If you need guidance on these screenings, your pediatrician will be happy 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, wearable devices amplify 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 soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
• Offering secure battery doors and child-friendly design elements
• Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile

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

Cochlear Implants for Babies

If an infant has severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and doesn’t benefit enough from hearing aids, a cochlear implant might be recommended.

Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:

• Are surgically implanted
• Recover hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
• 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
• Only recommended after a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and an ENT specialist

This process includes imaging, hearing tests, and discussions about long-term expectations and results.

How Cochlear Implants Differ 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 Solutions: A Concluding Analysis

If your infant has been diagnosed with hearing loss, you have options and plenty of support. Thanks to the expertise of hearing specialists who work with children, most young patients are able to obtain 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.

Do you have any concerns regarding your infant’s hearing wellness? 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.