| It is widely realized and accepted that hearing is vital | | | | the type and magnitude of the Child's hearing loss, |
| for the development of spoken communication, | | | | behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are frequently |
| language, communication and learning. The earlier that | | | | recommended for children because their durability. BTE |
| hearing loss happens in a child's life, the graver the | | | | hearing aids are very practical for children because |
| result on the child's development. Likewise, the earlier | | | | they are less dependent on the size of the inner ear. |
| the hearing loss is identified and treatment | | | | Custom ear molds for BTE hearing aids are soft and |
| commenced, the less serious the ultimate effects. | | | | easy to clean and, while they may need to be |
| When a child has a hearing loss, many medical | | | | replaced because children grow at rapid rates, they |
| providers believe that it is crucial that they be fitted | | | | are easier and less expensive to replace than |
| with child hearing aids as early as possible. This is | | | | in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids or in-the-canal (ITC) |
| because children commence identifying sounds and | | | | hearing aids. In addition, many parents find it beneficial |
| learning spoken communication in their very first | | | | that they can easily monitor and control behind-the-ear |
| months of life. Hearing aids can give numerous children | | | | (BTE) hearing aids. |
| the chance to hear and learn language like children with | | | | Once a child has been equipped with a hearing aid, it is |
| normal hearing. Even babies one month old can wear | | | | very useful for parents to work with the child's hearing |
| child hearing aids. | | | | medical providers and other professionals to identify |
| Hearing aids make sound louder in the ranges required; | | | | the services the child will require to assist him or her |
| the individual Child's hearing loss determine these | | | | develop spoken communication and hearing skills. For |
| ranges. They operate on tiny batteries, gather sounds, | | | | children below the age of three, these services may |
| amplify them and then transfer them to the ear canal. | | | | be available by way of the early intervention system. |
| All child hearing aids are chosen for, and fitted to, an | | | | When eligible children with disabilities are three and |
| individual child's hearing loss. This is because not all | | | | older, the public education system takes over and |
| hearing loss is the same. Some children may not be | | | | makes special education and associated services |
| able to hear certain pitches or tones of sound, while | | | | available. (You can contact the National Dissemination |
| other children may not be able to hear others. An | | | | Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) for |
| Audiologist is a professional trained in hearing loss, they | | | | information about accessing these systems or |
| will employ tests to ascertain how much to amplify | | | | services). |
| sound for each child. These tests are not painful. They | | | | This is just the briefest overview of hearing aids. Child |
| are used because very young children cannot reliably | | | | hearing aids are complex devices, and there are many |
| inform us when sound is too loud, too soft or unclear. | | | | features to consider. |
| Although the type of hearing aid will greatly depend on | | | | |