DD with unilateral moderate hearing loss - would you aid?

[ceebee21]

Anyone else have DC with moderate hearing loss in one ear?

DD is currently going through the tests, but this is the anticipated outcome. Audiologist said aid would be an option... but will be up to us etc.

She is only 4 weeks old, just not sure what to do?

Have you discussed whether its only aid that are appropriate or whether implants are a possibility?

Hello - Teacher of the Deaf here! An implant would not be offered for a moderate loss in only one ear and in any case they would better amplification from a hearing aid. CIs are offered when there are two frequencies in the worst ear at a threshold of 80dB or more. ( severe-profound loss)

In terms of language development a moderate loss in one ear doesn't usually have an impact. I have quite a few little ones in my caseload with a unilateral hearing loss who do just fine unaided even those with a "dead " ear on one side. The one thing you notice is sometimes difficulty hearing well in noise and locating where sounds are coming from. Some of my older unilateral children wear a hearing aid in their less good ear but this tends to be at an age where you can bribe them to keep it in- babies often start pulling the blooming things out when they get to about 6 months and then you have to watch them like a hawk as the ear moulds are rather nice and chewy!

I have been deaf in one ear since I was a baby, and nobody noticed until I was about ten. The deaf ear is totally dead. People don't realise I'm deaf unless I mention it, and I only mention it if they are on my deaf side as I can't hear them properly, but I usually try to make sure that people are on my good side..

The worst thing for me is not knowing which direction sound is coming from, but even a hearing aid wouldn't help with that. (I got a hearing aid ten years ago, but because one ear is dead, it's a transmitter/receiver type aid.)

Personally, in your situation, I wouldn't advise getting hearing aids for your child. As a pp said, it'll probably be more trouble than it's worth at that age, and as someone who's experienced what you are talking about, it has never impacted on my speech, language, or education. I'm sure your child will cope, and I feel it's best not to make a big deal of it. Obviously as your DC gets older, if things change, then you can think again.

This is just my personal experience and opinion, but I hope it reassures you somewhat.

@BrigitsBigKnickers thank you, good to hear from someone with experience of working with children with a similar diagnosis.

Its just really hard knowing what to do for the best, obviously I dont want to nor aid her, then find that had speech etc suffers as a result of doing so.

I guess I could trial it to see how it goes..