e response can be waking up from a nap, being startled, even crying. If they don’t, it may be a sign of hearing impairment.
Respond to familiar voices. Your baby should calm down when upset if you speak or sing to him. He should also respond with noises or smiles when he recognizes a familiar voice. People who spend time with your baby on a daily basis should have an effect when he hears their voices.
From 4 months to 9 months your baby should:
Respond to familiar sounds. Familiar sounds can be the television, a friend visiting, a favorite toy rattling, the dog barking, etc. You should see your baby responding to these sounds with a motion towards where the sound is coming from, for example, trying to look to the source of the sound.
Smile and babble. When familiar voices and faces speak, your baby should offer smiles at this age. He should also babble in response to a conversation or just to himself when he is playing. Smiles and babbling is a normal part of the development of hearing and communication.
Show understanding of basic gestures. When you say ‘bye’ and wave, your baby should show some understanding of the concept.
From 9 months to 15 months your baby should:
Use his voice. The speech will be very basic still at this age, but you should see signs of babbling different sounds and learning to say things like ‘mama’ or ‘dada’. He should also be using his voice to attract attention when he needs something or wants something.
Respond to a tone of voice. When you change your voice from friendly to strict or friendly to sad, your baby should pick up on the change and react accordingly.
From 15 to 24 months you should see your baby building on these simple responses and understanding. He should show understanding of stories you read or songs you sing. He should be able to say simple words and follow spoken instructions.
If your baby doesn’t show the appropriate signs for a given age, take him to an audiologist to be tested. It is important to remember that every baby develops in his own time and at his own pace. However, if you notice no responses or appropriate behavior according to the signs listed above, you should get a professional opinion.
Cochlear implants are a treatment for hearing impairment that has helped many people hear better or perceive sound better. It is one of the medical advancements that have changed many lives since 1980. Researchers and scientists are always working on making it better and safer, but for now, these implants are the best option for both children and adults with severe hearing impairment.
How Does It Work?
A cochlear implant is a device that is implanted under the skin behind your hear through an operation. It also has an outside part that is placed behind your ear. Together, these two parts work to improve hearing for people with sensorineural hearing loss. This means that their hearing is impaired due to damage to the cochlea inside the ear. This damage is not reversible. So, what the cochlear implant does is it skips those damaged parts and goes straight to the auditory nerve.
When the outside part picks up on sounds, it sends it as electrical impulses through the device to the auditory nerve and makes you recognize sounds.
Why Get a Cochlear Implant?
There are many advantages of getting a cochlear implant if you suffering from severe hearing impairment. A hearing aid is often not sufficient when the damage is too severe. Implants have many advantages:
- You can hear and understand speech again without needing to lip read.
- Everyday things like watching television and talking on the phone become easier.
- Listening to music is easier.
- The device enables you to hear soft, medium, and loud noises.
Who Can Get One?
Any person who feels that their hearing impairment can be improved by a cochlear implant. Children from 1 year of age can get implants. It is a crucial time for language and speech development in children. Adults of any age can also get an implant.
It is important that you discuss your option for a cochlear implant with the right doctors and therapists. They will exp