If your child has hearing loss, getting them hearing aids as soon as possible is essential in helping them develop and keep up with their peers. As critical as these devices are, they take getting used to. Use the guide below to help your little one adjust to both the physical and social effects of wearing hearing aids.

3 Ways to Help Children Get the Most From Their Hearing Aids

1. Make Them Easy to Wear

Your child’s audiologist will take mold impressions of your little one’s ear to design their hearing aid. Make wearing the device more appealing to your little one by letting them pick the color. Once the model is created, your child’s ear doctor will then perform a careful pediatric fitting using precise measurements to ensure maximum comfort. They’ll likely recommend a soft plastic variety that sits securely behind the ear. Still, children – especially toddlers who don’t yet quite grasp the benefits of hearing aids – may attempt to pull them off. Limit the temptation by having them wear a soft hat or headband that won’t obstruct the device’s microphone. You can also invest in clips specifically designed to keep the devices in place. 

2. Talk to Your Child

For a child who has had long-term hearing loss, regaining the ability to perceive sounds can be a startling and sometimes disorienting experience. Help your child get practice and catch up with the linguistic skills of peers by talking to them as often as possible, including reading to them and playing word- and sound-based games. Give them ample time to process and respond to your statements, and repeat yourself patiently as needed. As your child gets older, they may encounter social challenges at school. Rehearse simple explanations and scripts with them so they’re prepared when other children ask about their hearing aids, and encourage them to feel confident and comfortable wearing them. 

3. Work With Professionals

In addition to the audiologists who offer hearing aid fittings and maintenance, there are also many experts, such as speech therapists, educational psychologists, and trans-facilitators, dedicated to advising and providing resources to children with hearing loss and their families. You can contact these early intervention services through your child's doctor, audiologist, or school. By talking to educational administrators, for instance, you may be able to set up a peer buddy arrangement in which a fellow student will help your child navigate the classroom environment. 

For help getting your child hearing aids and making the transition, choose Augusta Audiology Associates, PC in Fishersville, VA. Serving Augusta County children and adults for 25 years, they offer personalized care and education for each patient in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere. To schedule a consultation, call (540) 332-5790, or visit their website to see what they have to offer.