There are a number of choices for children who may benefit from hearing technology. Keep in mind each child’s experience and results using hearing technology will be different. No technology can ensure a child will hear and understand speech or other specific sounds.
Parents should also consider how their child will have access when the hearing technology cannot be worn, such as during swimming or other active sports or overnight.
Because hearing aids are small, easy to take off, and expensive, parents may worry about their child wearing or possibly losing their hearing aids. Each child is different, but setting consistent routines can help. So can building positive associations with hearing aids.
Pay close attention to how your child responds to wearing hearing aids. Refusing to wear hearing aids could be a sign that something needs to be changed: perhaps they have outgrown the earmold, or the hearing aid volume might be too loud or too soft.
Get your child involved in making decisions about hearing aids when possible. Some children may be more inclined to wear a hearing aid if they have some input, such as choosing the color of their earmolds, clips or other accessories. Other children may just want to put them in themselves, or help if they are too young to do it on their own.
Learn more about hearing aids:
Audiologists may suggest cochlear implants for children who receive little or no useful benefit from hearing aids. Like hearing aids, the amount of benefit each child receives from cochlear implants will differ.
Learn more about cochlear implants: