Current research shows that children with hearing impairment benefit greatly when they wear their hearing aids on a regular basis. But parents are so metimes challenged by getting their kids to consistently wear them. No matter the age of your child, there are strategies that you can take to keep the hearing aids on your child.
Current research shows that children with hearing impairment benefit greatly when they wear their hearing aids on a regular basis. But parents are so metimes challenged by getting their kids to consistently wear them. No matter the age of your child, there are strategies that you can take to keep the hearing aids on your child. They include:
- Put the hearing aids on first thing in the morning so they feel normal on the head. Be consistent and do not take a day off.
- Attach hearing aids to barrettes in the hair; if a child pulls off the hearing aids it also pulls the hair and may discourage them from removing.
- Earmolds that fit snugly and have a tube that fits around the outer ear make it harder for your child to yank off the hearing aids.
- Toupee tape can help support a large hearing aid or FM and hearing aid on a tiny ear.
- Use tether clips to the back of the child’s shirt or collar so that even if he pulls the hearing aids out, they won’t get lost.
- Make sure your child’s day care provider keeps the hearing aids on at all times. If you pick your child up and consistently notice that the hearing aids are off, consider finding a new child care provider.
All children go through a phase where they take their hearing aids off. Be persistent in putting them back in, using accessories to keep them on the child’s head. Different strategies are needed as your child’s dexterity changes. Accessories can help. They include:
· Caps can cover your baby’s head and secure a hearing device away from yanking fingers.
· A spandex sleeve with a stretchy cord attached can slip over a hearing device and prevent it from being removed via a locking mechanism.
· A plastic loop security system with thin poly cotton cord and metal alligator type clip can keep your children’s hearing aids in place and attach to one or two hearing devices
For these and other resources for parents on the Success for Kids With Hearing Loss website, click here.