Hearing aids for babies

[Twistedheartache]

Hi
I'm hoping somebody has experience or is an audiologist.
Dd 4 months has mild to moderate hearing loss (around 40?)
If as expected no cochlea function/reading is detected next week I have to decide whether to give her hearing aids straight away or wait til after 8 mth test when they will have full? frequency readings.
What are the pros & cons of giving her them now v waiting?
What is life like for/with a baby with hearing loss?

Not sure this is a help but a child I know really well was told at an early age that they needed hearing aids. (Child has other medical conditions and was more likely to have hearing problems.) His parents said no he want having them yet and that they should wait. Turns out his hearing was just fine but that his hearing was just fine.

I would say go with your gut but possibly wait until 8 months as tests can be wrong. I would also post this on the special needs boards. May get more of a response than this.

If you're planning on using them then ASAP is better ( IMO) to get her used to them and to get communication the best it can be as early as possible.

Hi there
I can't really give you any medical advice as every case is different. My daughter has worn Hearing Aids since she was 4 months old. She is now 11 and still wears them but has good speech and is well supported in a mainstream school. It was a big shock when her condition was diagnosed and there was a lot of confusion at the beginning (she has Auditory Neuropathy). We were advised to give her hearing aids as soon as possible. I'm glad we did as I'm sure that she benefited from hearing as many sounds as possible from an early age. The difficulty was trying to stop her putting them in her mouth when she was such a young baby! At one point we were told she might need a Cochlear Implant but she didn't need one in the end.

I can appreciate what a worrying time this is for you. Whatever hearing loss your DD is diagnosed with (and it can take a long time) there is loads of support out there; both from the audiology team, other parents and professionals. Have you come across the NDCS (National Deaf Children's Society) website yet? I would really recommend it - loads of information on there and supportive forums.

Best of luck with trying to make a decision about the aids.

ASAP definitely, they get used to them, will stimulate the nerve, more monitoring and access to services. Google auditory verbal therapy if you want to think about your child's hearing. Good luck, I have 2 dead children ( both now have implants) both doing fantastically.