When your child first gets hearing aids it may be quite a struggle to get them to keep them on. Let’s examine some helpful tips to get your child more comfortable with wearing their device so they can experience the range of benefits hearing aids have to offer.
Make Sure Hearing Aids Are Comfortable 
- Warm up the earmold in your hand for a few minutes before putting it on. This can make it feel softer and more comfortable.
- Start slowly. Have your child wear their hearing aid for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day when they first start, or at whatever interval they are comfortable with. Then gradually build up the amount of time they wear their device.
- If your child is regularly pulling their device out, saying it hurts or is too loud, check the settings. You may need to adjust them or bring them to the audiologist for a professional adjustment.
Help Your Child Feel Excited About Their Hearing Aids
- Reward your child for wearing their hearing aids with stickers, a snack or small toys.
- Plan fun activities that can only be done once they put on their hearing aids.
- Offer praise when they are wearing their device.
- Let them pick out fun colored earmolds, removable tube decorations, custom stickers and ear covers for their device.
- Listen to music, sing songs together or pick out a new book to read from the Charleston County Public Library. The more your child associates their hearing aid with fun experiences and better hearing, the more likely they are to wear it consistently without problems.
- Spend time around other children who use hearing aids. If this isn’t an option for you, even characters in books, movies and TV shows can help let your child know that there are other kids just like them.
How Your Child Can Benefit from Hearing Aids
If your child has hearing loss, wearing their hearing aids consistently can make a world of difference in many aspects of their lives.
- Studies have shown that regular hearing aid use improves children’s language development skills
- They can help improve their social development and ability to communicate with other children
- Children with hearing aids are more likely to perform better in school than those with untreated hearing loss
If you have additional questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your child, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.