So many children are facing hearing problems, that it has become a rule of thumb for both parents and pediatricians to be a lot more mindful regarding early diagnosis in order to deal with the problem as soon as possible.
Hearing loss can be caused by a number of reasons including noise, injury, infection, medication, birth defects, tumors, blood circulation, and so on. As soon as the designated doctor diagnoses a hearing problem, it is important to get the child fitted with a hearing aid as this can help prevent developing improper speech from the very beginning.
Hearing aids for kids amplify and change the sounds around them so they can hear better. The hearing aid you choose for your child will be based on a few different factors such as their physical limitations, any medical conditions and their personal preference. Hearing aids are constantly being upgraded and new models come out all the time, but they are all based around four core models which we will cover.
- The first type is the in-the-ear hearing aids and they come in a plastic casing that fits the outer ear. These are used from mild to severe hearing loss and while they can be fitted to improve certain noises like phone calls, they are limited regarding adjustment since they are quite small. These hearing aids can also be damaged by ear wax and any drainage.
- The second hearing aid you can choose is the behind-the-ear hearing aid and as it states it is worn right behind the ear. They are used to treat mild to severe hearing loss but if they are poorly fitted they can give you annoying feedback.
- The third kind of hearing aid is called a canal aid and it comes in two different styles. The first is called the in-the-canal and the second is the completely-in-canal. These are customized to fit whoever needs to wear them and treat mild to moderate hearing loss. They are really small to removing or adjusting them can be quite difficult and they too can get damaged from ear wax.
- The fourth hearing aid is referred to as a body aid and is only reserved for those who have extreme hearing loss. If other hearing aids do not work with the patient, then these are fitted onto a belt of pocket and connected with a wire to the ear.
Once your child has been fitted with a hearing aid, it is important to remember a few things when they are starting out. You should be patient and give your kid some time to get used to the device – the sounds it produces aren’t the same as the sounds we hear. You ought to start them in a quiet surrounding and gradually build your way up to a noisier environment.
Experiment with your child and find out where the hearing aid works best for them by testing out different noises you will see where they are safer. Keep a record and jot down any concerns or questions you might have about hearing loss or the hearing aid so you can remember to bring it up the next time your child has a follow up examination.
The last thing you should think about is how to take care of the hearing aid so it lasts. They need to be kept dry and there are a lot of ways to clean them, varying on their type and shape. Some tips on keeping your hearing aid in better conditions include keeping them away from heat. You should also replace your batteries on a regular basis, and avoid using any aerosols like hairspray or hair products in general once you have already placed it correctly. These tips should make your hearing aid last longer. Hearing loss is no joke and it is important to keep track of any noticeable changes that may signal a strong need to visit an audiologist..
