Involving Children in the Choice of Their Hearing Aids
Parents often have questions as their child adjusts to wearing hearing aids.
First, it’s important that parents and all family members accept the child’s hearing loss. Children may perceive their hearing aids negatively if their relatives are uncomfortable around the devices. Some parents choose the colour of hearing aids based on the colour of their child’s hair, so that they’re as invisible as possible. They encourage their child to hide the hearing aids behind their hair. This might make the child believe that their parents want them to hide the hearing aids because they’re embarrassing.
Creativity First!
Children must have the opportunity to be creative by choosing the colour of the hearing aids’ cases and earmolds. Some manufacturers also offer stickers or accessories to make hearing aids more colourful and fun. Involving the child in the process is essential.
It will make them see hearing aids as a positive device, not something that makes them different. Furthermore, when the hearing aids are colourful and visible, people notice that the child has hearing loss, which attracts positive reactions. Children are often proud to show off their colourful hearing aids. After all, it’s just like wearing glasses!
Useful Advice
In the beginning, to help the child get used to their hearing aids, it’s a good idea to put them on while they’re doing a fun activity, like a craft. The child will then associate hearing aids with something positive. You can start gradually, increasing the time the devices are worn until the child wears them all day.
To motivate children to wear their hearing aids, it’s important to encourage them to take responsibility when it comes to their hearing loss. The first step is to explain to them why they have to wear hearing aids and how they work. Depending on their age, you can also show them simple maintenance tasks.
The child will have frequent appointments with the audioprosthetist throughout their life. It’s important to let them give their opinion and answer the audioprosthetist’s questions about their experience with hearing aids.
To learn more, don’t hesitate to talk to an audioprosthetist.
Don't forget!
An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient's needs.
