Children's hearing aids.

[123456thu]

Hello, my 4 year old needs a hearing aid in one ear. She has an appointment this week, just wondering if she'll get the hearing aid at the appointment or if they do the mold then get it at a later date? Trying to prepare her for the appointment.. but the hospital hasn't given any information on what ls happening at the appointment.

It depends what kind of aid. I'd prepare your child that they'll be trying them on (like they would shoes). Even if you take them home on the day, it doesn't mean your DC has to wear them every waking moment. They may take time to adapt. I was 4 when I got mine (in both ears) and loved wearing them from the start. So take an open-minded approach. Wishing you and your DC all the best.

@Lovemyassistancedog thank you so much. I think she's looking forward to getting them. And so am I the shouting in my house because she can't hear is very unbearable lol

Depends on type. My DDs were moulded. Later a mould with a hole in as she was getting infections.
Staff were always lovely and she could choose colours and logo etc to go on etc

@hotfirelog thank you for replying. I didn't even know they had different types really. I'm clueless lol we went for a hearing test the nurses said she had hearing loss (not bad) in one ear and glue ear in both ears. But the doctors would probably just watch and wait.. then went back another day to see the doctor and he said she needs a hearing aid, and I was so taken back I didn't ask any questions. I was really upset (obviously didn't show it) then got the appointment but isn't actually saying what it's for.

Perfectly normal. Kids adapt fast and most just like to hear better! If it's glue ear related it's likely to just be for a while too

We're going through this ATM for the same reason.

1st appointment we found the level of hearing loss. Scheduled for a 2nd appointment in 3 months to redo.

2nd appointment, no change, moulds were taken, DC got to choose what colours, designs they wanted.

Moulds are sent off, should take a couple a couple of weeks to be made. We're waiting for the 3rd appointment where they'll test again and then fit the aids if needed.

DD wore one for just over a year but she was about 9/10. She'd had grommets at 4 which worked for a while but she still has glue ear and we were down for another lot of grommets when a heating aid was offered as another solution. Hers was moulded so the first appointment was having the mould done and choosing the colours, I seem to think she had purple sparkly for the mould bit and a blue over ear piece, there was an absolutely huge selection for her to choose from. We had regular check ups and eventually her glue ear sorted itself out and she now doesn't need to wear it and we've finally been discharged from audiology.

@BeSharpBee it's so long isn't it. I just assumed you'd just get the hearing aid at the Appointment. It's only after I started googling that I realised they did the a mold. I think we have our next hearing test appointment next month. Such a long process.

@NoodieRoodie awh that's amazing your daughter's ears sorted them selves out. I hope ours have a large selection of colours too.

It really is a lot ot of waiting. It doesn't help that our referral was almost a years wait too. The Dr we saw said if it was up to her she'd have started the fitting at the first appointment as the issues had been going on for so long. Hopefully less than a month and we'll be all sorted at last.

@BeSharpBee I'll be glad when it's done. First appointment wasn't to bad, last appointment was just before Xmas. The fact they don't actually tell you what's happening at the appointment is so frustrating.

It's a shame they are not being clear with you. I have to say we have been given full information at each appointment, even down to not hyping up the aids too much incase they're not needed in the end. Apparently a few children come in very excited to get their aids and are then upset when their hearing has improved 😅

Hope the appointment goes well. Hearing aids have transformed my daughter’s life! It’s extra admin to get used to, but the audiology team should talk you through it. She can choose her colour and they’ll advise you to start wearing a bit at home and ramp up slowly so she can get used to it. They’ll do moulds which can take a bit of time. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. And if she’s into gladiators, strictly etc there are some great deaf role models out there in rose, fury and Tasha!

One tip: when they put the 'mould' material into my ear, I always pull faces to change the shape of the ear to mimic the range of movement (shapes) that my ears might take in the hope that the mould will fit more than just 'motionless and expressionless' which would be my default while being fitted, if you see what I mean.

My daughter (3) has glue in both ears which has caused hearing loss. We asked for hearing aids when she was diagnosed as it was affecting her speech. Hers were moulded, and they let her choose the colours. They have all sorts of colours and characters they can choose from on the day. The moulding doesn't hurt - it's just like putting play dough in your ears really. I think we had an appointment for the moulds and then came back a few weeks later to have them fitted. The harder bit is getting them used to it. Initially my daughter would pull them out and hide them at nursery as she didn't like other children touching them but six months down the line she wears them sensibly and doesn't pull them out.

She is a different child since the hearing aids were fitted. Much, much calmer and her speech has really improved.

Is your child at school or nursery? In our area the council has a service where they come out to the school or nursery and show the staff how to manage the hearing aids, change batteries etc which has been really helpful.