School age children

Why does my child need a hearing aid?

If your child has been identified as having a hearing loss the correct hearing aid(s) are vital to develop and maintain clear speech and support educational success. There are different models of hearing aids available depending on the type / level of hearing loss.

What is a behind-the-ear hearing aid?

These type of hearing aids are small, wearable electronic devices designed to improve hearing by making some sounds louder and improving speech clarity. The hearing aid sits behind the ear and delivers amplified sound into the ear canal via a custom made earmould. Your child's hearing aid(s) are selected and programmed by an audiologist at the Children's Hearing Centre according to the hearing test results to suit his/her hearing loss for each ear. Your child's hearing levels will continually be reassessed and changes to the programming made as/if required. Hearing aid features can be activated/selected specifically for your child depending on their age and hearing loss. The hearing aid(s) provided are high quality, digital hearing aids. Some hearing aids, depending on the model, are rechargeable. The model selected for your child depends on their level and type of hearing loss.

Left/right identification 

There are coloured markers under the battery door on the back of the hearing aid.

• Blue marker = left hearing aid
• Red marker = right hearing aid

If the hearing aid is replaced for any reason it is advised that you check that the new aid has all the same features.

When should my child wear their hearing aid(s)?

Wearing hearing aids should become part of your child's daily routine, just like getting up and dressed and brushing their teeth. It is important that as a parent you display a positive attitude towards hearing aids and encourage consistent use. It may take some time for your child to adjust to wearing their hearing aid/s and need to build up use gradually, whilst others settle with them really quickly. Eventually children will use their hearing aids all day, every day, forgetting they are wearing them at all.

Some parents report that their children won't wear their hearing aid(s) after school. You could try giving them a specified break, maybe for 30 minutes and then start using the hearing aid(s) again.

Communication and learning continues at home as well as school and being able to hear conversation at the dinner table or listen to the TV at a normal volume will make life easier for everyone.

Hearing aids are electronic devices and need to be removed for bathing or swimming. 

How can I make sure the hearing aids aren't lost?

Hearing aids are provided (on loan) free of charge to all children on the NHS. Hearing aids are very expensive and sophisticated devices so please take great care of them.

The following tips will help keep the hearing aids safe:

• Get your child in to a good routine of wearing the aids consistently
• Teach your child to give the hearing aids to an adult if they have removed them
• Make sure hearing aids are put awaysafelywhen not worn i.e. not loose in pockets, school bags etc. Particular care needs to be taken on school trips, outings and family holidays

 

Spare hearing aid boxes are available free of charge from the Children's Hearing Centre.

What is data logging?

Hearing aids are very sophisticated and can record data such as the average number of hours of use per day, the noise level in the listening environment and how frequently the user alters the settings. This information is used in clinic to make adjustments to your child's hearing aids and to assist optimal hearing aid use and benefit.

How can I help my child get the most from their hearing aid(s)?

Hearing aids work optimally in quiet situations. Therefore, whenever possible try to keep background noise to a minimum, for example:

• Switching the television/radio off if not being watched
• Being aware of noise from household appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners etc.
• Closing doors between rooms at home to try isolate sources of noise where possible.
• Being aware that your child will find it more difficult to hear with poor acoustics e.g. places with hard surfaces that result in higher levels of reverberation/ unpleasant noise such as classrooms with high ceilings and a lack of sofeter furnishings.
• Some children may benefit from the use of a FM System or soundfield system in class. If you have any concerns about your child's hearing in school, please discuss this with your Hearing Support Teacher.

Will my child be upset by loud sounds?

Hearing aids have sophisticated digital technology which constantly monitors the level of sound going into the microphones. The aid will then automatically adjust the level of amplification to ensure that the level of sound reaching your child's ear stays within the comfortable hearing range.

Some children, if feeling unwell or particularly tired, may be less tolerant of noisy situations and will try to remove the hearing aids or become upset.  Giving your child some quiet time, or removing their aids for a short period of time usually helps. Please contact your audiologist or Hearing Support Teacher if your child consistently finds the aids too loud. It might be useful trying one aid at a time  to see if this reduces the loudness discomfort.

How do I know if the earmoulds are fitting well? 

In order to ensure optimal performance, comfort and sound quality from a hearing aid it is vital that Ithe earmould fits well. Earmoulds are custom made for each child and are available in many different colours/with picture inserts (further examples of these are available to see at the Children's Hearing Centre and on our website). Earmoulds can be made from different types of materials (plastic or silicone). Some are very soft and some are harder. They may also have a small hole through them, called a vent. Features of the earmould are selected based on the type and severity of your child's hearing loss.

As your child grows you might notice the earmoulds becoming loose, accompanied with acoustic feedback (a high pitch whistling sound). This occurs when the amplified sound from the hearing aid leaks out of the ear and reaches the microphone. The more powerful the hearing aid, the more likely the chance of feedback occurring. Feedback can be a sign that the earmould(s) are too small and new ones are needed or that there is lots of wax in the ear canal. 

 

How do we get a new earmould for my child?

The shape of the ear is taken (an impression) by a qualified audiologist.  The ear is filled with a medical grade putty-like material. This is allowed to set before being removed, which takes just a few of minutes. The impression(s) are then sent away to a specialist company who make the earmould(s) and return them to the Children's Hearing Centre. This process takes approximately 6 days. Impressions for new earmoulds need to be taken on a regular basis as your child continues to grow.

Where and when can we get impressions taken?

• The Children's Hearing Centre: an Earmould Clinic is held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Your child's hearing aid review appointment at the Children's Hearing Centre (ears MUST be clear of wax)

It is important that the ear canals are clear of wax for impressions to be taken. At the earmould clinic a specialist nurse is available to syringe your child's ears if necessary.

How is earwax managed?

Sodium Bicarbonate eardrops (provided in your 'hearing aid kit bag' with instructions for use) can be used if your child is prone to excessive wax. For some children, however, there may be a medical reason why drops should not be used (e.g. grommets or perforated eardrums).

How are earmould(s) cleaned?

1. Remove the earmould from the hearing aid
2. Wash it in warm soapy water
3. Stubborn bits of wax may be removed carefully from the inside of the tube with an unfolded paperclip / pin.    
4. Dry the earmould thoroughly
5. Reattach the earmould  to the hearing aid (remember the curve of the mould fits into the inside curve of the hearing aid).

 

Additional moisture can be removed using the earmould 'puffer' (provided in your hearing aid kit bag).  

What is an earhook?

This joins the hearing aid to the earmould and keeps the hearing aid in place behind the ear. It should be replaced if it becomes: discoloured, chewed, collapsed or loose. Please contact the Children's Hearing Centre if a replacement is required.

Can the tubing be replaced?

The flexible, clear plastic tubing delivers amplified sounds to the ear canal.  After a few months, the tubing can go hard and/or discoloured.  It is important to change the tubing regularly. (Spare tubing and instructions are provided in your hearing aid kitbag). Please ask your audiologist or Hearing Support Teacher for help if required with this. The NDCS have videos regarding caring for your child's hearing aids including how to change the tubing.

How are replacement hearing aid batteries obtained?

Hearing aids require small batteries which are provided free by the Children's Hearing Centre.

• The life of a battery is dependent on many factors such as hearing aid type, how often the aid is used, at what volume etc. A general guideline would be 7 - 15 days. For young children we advise that the batteries get changed once a week on a set day
• Replacement batteries are available from the Children's Hearing Centre by emailing, telephoning, or collection at an appointment/ a pre- arranged time. Contact the department in advance of using the last battery to allow for postage
• The batteries are activated by contact with air, therefore the sticky tab should be removed just prior to use. Remove old battery and insert new one as indicated on the side of the battery compartment
• Some hearing aids have battery locks to make removal more difficult for young children.  The battery compartment must not be forced open. Depending on the type of lockable battery door, a tool will be supplied if necessary.
• Please dispose of old batteries carefully in your household recycling  orreturn them to the Children's Hearing Centre for recycling. Batteries should not be disposed of in general household waste (landfill)
• Spare and spent batteries should be kept well away from children and pets as swallowing them is a very serious health risk
• Always carry spare batteries, as hearing aid batteries can suddenly die

How do I check the hearing aid is working well?

It is important to ensure the hearing aid is always working correctly by carrying out regular maintenance checks:

• Switch the hearing aid on hold it in the palm of the hand. It should "whistle" steadily. If it doesn't, replace the battery and repeat.
• Ensure the earmould and tubing are not blocked with wax or water droplets.
• Attach the hearing aid to a listening clip (provided in your hearing aid kit bag) and talk softly to yourself and observe the quality of sound. It should not sound distorted.
• Take the hearing aid off the listening clip and perform visual checks for cracks in the casing. This can sometimes cause feedback.

These are only basic checks. If your child complains or seems less responsive than usual when wearing his/her hearing aid, it is important to get the device thoroughly tested by an audiologist at the Children's Hearing Centre.

 

Listening clip attached to earmould