Hearing Aids for Children

Choosing the Right Hearing Aids

There are several types and styles of hearing aids. For young children, audiologists often recommend behind-the-ear (BTE) models because:

• They work with many types of hearing loss.
• They can attach to different types of earmolds (the part that goes inside the ear).
• The earmolds are easy to replace as your child grows.
• The earmolds are easy to handle and clean.
• The earmolds are soft and safe for small ears.
• The earmolds help keep the hearing aids in place.

Other styles are more common for adults and older children. Your audiologist will work with you and your child to determine the best fit for their specific needs. Your child may need a hearing aid in one or both ears.

Taking Care of Hearing Aids

Taking care of hearing aids helps them work properly and last longer. Your audiologist will teach you and your child how to use and care for your child’s hearing aid(s). For example, it’s important to:

• Complete regular listening checks to make sure the hearing aid(s) are working correctly.
• Check the batteries often.
• Keep spare or rechargeable batteries on hand and in a safe place, being mindful of the risk of eating batteries to children and pets.
• Clean your child’s hearing aid(s) according to your audiologist’s instructions.
• Keep your child’s hearing aid(s) dry and store them in a safe place when your child is not using them.

Getting the Most Out of Hearing Aids

Adjusting to wearing hearing aids takes time. These tips can help your child get the most from their hearing aids.

• Make sure your child is using their hearing aid(s) as much as possible. Hearing aid(s) should be turned on during the day, regardless of what kind of activity your child is doing.
• Keep hearing aid(s) in place. Your child may need help putting and keeping their hearing aid(s) on. Your audiologist can give you information about headbands, special tape, or clips that help keep the devices in place.
• See your audiologist as scheduled. Because children are still growing, their hearing aids and ear molds will need to be adjusted and fine-tuned as their bodies change.
• Prepare for an emergency. Have spare hearing aid batteries on hand. Your audiologist can recommend a place to purchase extra batteries that are the right size and type for your child's devices.
• Ask your audiologist. Your audiologist can recommend additional services like aural (re)habilitation, assistive technologies, or community resources to give your child the most access to sound, speech, and the world around them.

To find an audiologist near you, visit ProFind.

Resources

Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement.

• Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hearing Loss in Children
• National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management