While hearing aids are usually associated with older people, people of all ages can wear hearing aids, including babies! Babies may be first fit with hearing aids as soon as they’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss – even as early as two to three months of age. Below we review everything you need to know about hearing aids for babies.
Hearing Aids for Babies
Hearing aids are designed to amplify sounds to a level the wearer can easily detect. They consist of a microphone, which picks up sounds in the environment; a processor, which amplifies sound to a level the ear can detect; a receiver, which delivers sound to the ears; and a battery, which powers the device.
Most of the time, babies are fit with behind-the-ear hearing aids, which come in a variety of skin colors as well as fun colors that stand out. These devices are ideal for babies because they can “grow” with them, as the earmold and tubing can be replaced as your child grows.
Earmolds are made by taking an impression of your child’s ear.
Making Sure Your Baby’s Hearing Aid Is Working
It’s important that you make sure your child’s hearing aid is working well so they can meet their speech-language milestones and be able to socialize with other children at Mission Dolores Park.
Be sure to:
- Prevent whistling sounds by replacing earmolds frequently. Whistling is caused by a poor physical fit and sound leakage. Contact your child’s audiologist when you notice the earmold doesn’t fit as well as it once did.
- Listen to the sounds coming through the hearing aid using a stethoscope made specifically for hearing aids.
- Replace batteries frequently, and be sure you’re always carrying spares.
- Invest in a dehumidifier so that you can remove moisture from your child’s hearing aids overnight.
Keeping the Hearing Aids on Your Baby
It’s common for babies to pull at their ears and accidentally remove their hearing aids. To prevent this, you can use:
- Plastic rings that keep the hearing aids on your child’s ears.
- Attach the hearing aids to their clothing via a cord with a clip.
- Use shorter ear hooks for a tighter fit.
- Use wig tape to hold the hearing aid in place.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call San Francisco Audiology today.