Does your child experience hearing loss? The right hearing instruments and fittings, such as hearing aids, can be vital for the child’s speech and educational development. Therefore, it is your role as a parent to take your child to a hearing instrument specialist (HIS) for early diagnosis. Find out more about taking your child to a hearing care professional.

What do the stats say?

According to stats, two out of every 1000 kids in the United States are born deaf or with hearing loss. Accordingly, other children develop hearing loss from infections, genetic conditions, exposure to loud noise, and medical conditions.

If you think that your child is experiencing hearing loss, the first step should be to visit a hearing care provider for assistance. This professional specializes in the testing and treatment of hearing loss.

What is the role of a hearing care professional?

The hearing health professional will be able to assess the extent of the hearing problem and conduct tests to determine what treatment is needed. They will evaluate the hearing loss and make a recommendation based on the results. Hearing instrument specialists recommend assistive hearing technologies, such as hearing aids for individual struggling to hear. The solutions may vary depending on the extent of the hearing loss and your child’s age. You should make frequent visits to a HIS to monitor the problem and get intervention programs.

Which solutions are available for your child?

Suppose your child experiences hearing loss, a visit to a HIS may offer a wide range of solutions and options. But what is the potential for hearing solutions for your child?

The first option is always hearing assistive technologies and solutions. Hearing aids designed to help children with hearing loss are vital for speech development and education. Choosing the right hearing solution fittings can offer many benefits to the child.

The type of hearing aids for children depends on many factors, including age and the extent of hearing loss. Young children have hearing aids designed for their ears and are tamperproof. Accordingly, your child may need hearing aids with high sound amplification when the hearing loss is significant.

Another alternative is a cochlear implant. This solution is effective for children who are one year and above and experience severe hearing loss. Another option includes using a wireless microphone system with hearing aids, including a microphone and a receiver. The child wears hearing aids fitted with a receiver, while the parent or teacher wears a microphone. A wireless microphone system is designed to help children experiencing hearing loss understand speech better.

Are pediatric hearing aids any different?

Hearing aids for adults and kids are made with the same technology. However, there are a few differences:

•    Children often put much wear and tear into everything they use. That is why hearing aids designed for children are more durable than ones for adults.
•    Pediatric hearing aids are mainly compatible with other assistive technologies and FM/DM systems.
•    Most pediatric hearing aids are tamperproof.

Pediatric hearing aids are specifically designed to fit children’s needs, with behind-the-ear (BTE) models being most widely recommended because they can grow with the child. Accordingly, they come in different color options.

How do you know if your child needs hearing aids?

Children experiencing hearing loss can benefit from hearing assistive technologies such as hearing aids. A hearing instrument specialist will determine whether your kid needs hearing aids or other assistive technologies. The decision may be based on the child’s age or the extent of the hearing loss.

Since hearing loss in children varies, the solutions may also vary from child to child. Infants with hearing loss can start using hearing aids upon diagnosis. A cochlear implant may also be necessary after an examination. A child hearing care professional will conduct tests to determine the extent of hearing loss and the solution.

You can only know I your child needs hearing aids after a visit to a hearing care professional. If you suspect that your child is experiencing hearing loss, do not hesitate to visit a hearing instruments specialist for further advice.

What does it mean to your child’s education?

There is no right educational path for every child, especially the ones experiencing hearing loss. As a parent, it is your responsibility to seek professional advice to help your child learn better. You can also get hearing care support from your child’s school, advisory centers and state education to help your kid’s educational development. You can also reach out to Sound Choice Hearing through (505) 565-7960 and get professional help.