Getting Children To Live With Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are typically sound amplification devices that could either be Behind-The-Ear (BTE) or In-The-Ear contraptions (ITE). And while it is difficult for a child to understand the problem initially, it takes time and effort for him to realize that his handicap is lessened with the help of the useful aid. Therefore fitting the child with an appropriate device as soon as the problem has been detected is of crucial importance, as untreated conditions could very easily affect his self-image and socialization skills.

BTEs generally involve hooks over the ears and are used for babies and very young children who grow rapidly and hence would otherwise require frequent modifications in their devices. ITEs, on the other hand, fit directly into the ear and are not visible from the outside and, are therefore, more preferred by older children and teenagers. One can also choose between digital and analog systems, which are the two forms that hearing devices are available in. While the former is more expensive and is run with the help of a microchip that automatically controls the amount of sound filtered, the latter has settings that can be changed manually and work better in the long run.

While some young children are very eager to keep their hearing devices in place, others refuse to wear them completely and therefore have to be coaxed and cajoled into doing so. The parent should also check the settings of the aid and make sure that the volume control has been placed at a reasonable level. Often this is one of the main reasons why children dislike their aids, which can easily be rectified by visiting a doctor or seeking the advice of a health care professional. Using them initially at home also makes the child more comfortable with the device and also introduces them to sound gradually and gently. The child can later graduate to wearing the aid on the street or at the mall, when he has become more comfortable. Lastly would be the wearing the device at school where he is often most conscious about exposing his vulnerability to his peer group.