Tips For Young Children With Hearing Aids

Posted on: 21 March 2016

Young children with hearing difficulties can benefit greatly from hearing aids. Being able to hear helps your child learn language skills and basic processing skills so they don't fall behind their peers. The difficulty lies in ensuring your hild keeps their hearing aids on. The following tips can help parents of young children work through common hearing aid issues.

Tip #1: Don't make it a game

Some children may repeatedly remove their hearing aid. Each time the hearing aid is removed, replace it immediately. Don't talk or otherwise acknowledge the behavior, though, since this can encourage your child to continue with the "game."

Tip #2: Try a hat

A snug beanie or headband that goes over the ear can prevent both accidental and purposeful removal. Hats are especially useful on very young children that may accidentally dislodge their hearing aid.

Tip #3: Stay consistent

Consistency is key. Your child should wear their hearing aid during all waking hours. Make sure to put it in when they wake up and replace it if they take it out. Getting in the habit of regular, daily wear is the key to success.

Tip #4: Keep it secure

If a hat won't work, there are many other devices for keeping a hearing aid in place. Colorful hearing aid straps clip to the device and to your child's shirt. If the device comes out while your child is playing, the clip prevents it from becoming lost. There are also rubber rings available that fit over your child,s hear, holding the hearing aid in place.

Tip #5: Perform daily checks

Discomfort can also lead to issues with keeping the hearing aid on. Get in the habit of a morning hearing aid routine. First, fit the device into place. Then, perform a volume and battery check to make sure the device is working and at a comfortable level. It's also a good idea to make sure daycare workers or other care givers know how to complete these checks.

Tip #6: Keep it dry

Finally, moisture can damage a hearing aid. This can lead to it making feedback or distorted sounds in your child's ear. To avoid this discomfort, remove the hearing aid every night and open the battery compartment so it can dry out inside. Also, remove the hearing aid before bathing or swimming.

If you need more help, talk with your child's audiologist or a clinic like Otolaryngology Plastic Surgery Associates PC  to get any answers you need. 

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