bone-conducting hearing aids - any advice?

[pumpkins2]

Hi guys!

Our gorgeous DD2, who's 2 and has DiGeorge syndrome, has suffered massive damage to both her eardrums through repeated infections in the middle ear. Both her eardrums have basically gone, much to the surprise and consternation of our paed and ENT Dr. Apparently this is quite unusual.

Her hearing tests are also a disaster - as far as I can remember, she has hearing of 50 Dbl. So we've been referred to an audiologist to get a bone-conducting hearing aid - the kind that sits on a headband.

We're really looking forward to restoring DD2's hearing, as she's trying so hard to say lots and just can't pronounce things properly at all. But I've heard that it can be difficult to get the right one for the child, so wanted to hear if any of you lovely people have advice on good manufacturers, or tips for how to know if it's the right HA for your child?

Thank you!

Hi Frusso, thanks, that's so helpful! I'll definitely give the NDCS a call as I just can't get my head around which makes are best for very small children. And I don't trust the system to necessarily give DD2 the best one for her, rather than the cheapest one.

We've got an audiology appt booked for the 9th Nov which, given that we had the diagnosis a month ago, is too long to wait, IMO. Will keep you posted on what they say!

My dd has hearing aids due to middle ear issues, but traditional ones as la don't fund bone conducting. Though not ideal they've made a huge difference. She was attached to them in days as she loved being able to join in. Her language in June was 12 months, it not 24 months! It is though very very unclear and though sentences and grammar are good strangers often don't understand. Shocking we waited for so long despite a flat 70db loss!!!

You may have a pleasant surprise with acceptance, I know lots of mums have. I know children with hair bands, all preferred soft bands to Alice bands. We found audiology gave no choice at all though, one thing alone is funded and that's that.you. Can though decorate the band with ribbon etc that helps, dd has pink glitter molds in her ears and pearly pink aids