Approximately 34 million children worldwide have hearing loss that needs treatment or rehabilitation. If your child has recently been diagnosed, it’s natural to be concerned about how they will embrace and care for their hearing aids.
How To Help Your Child Embrace Their Hearing Aids
Encouraging excitement about wearing hearing aids can help your child embrace their new devices. A few ways you can garner excitement include:
- Involve them in decision-making. Children appreciate having a say in their choices. Including them in selecting their hearing aids gives them a sense of ownership, making them more likely to care for and embrace their devices.
- Personalize their devices. Make their devices fun by choosing brighter colors, adding hearing aid-safe stickers or opting for colorful cases. Personal touches can make your child proud to wear their hearing aids.
- Engage in fun activities. Demonstrate how hearing aids can improve your child’s life. Try going to the playground, watching a movie together or scheduling a playdate to highlight how hearing aids improve their experience.
How To Prevent Hearing Aid Loss or Damage
Children often misplace their belongings. From shoes to homework, just about anything can get left behind at Jacobson Park Playground—including hearing aids. Here are some essential tips to help your child keep track of their new devices:
- Ensure their hearing aids are comfortable. Just like in-ear headphones, hearing aids can cause discomfort if worn for long periods. If your child finds them uncomfortable, they might remove them—leaving them susceptible to loss or damage. To make their experience more pleasant, start slow by having your child wear their devices for a few hours at a time, allowing breaks in between. This slow acclimation will help them get used to their devices without discomfort.
- Attach lanyards. Hearing aid lanyards or clips are a great way to prevent loss or damage. The lanyards attach your child’s hearing aids to their shirt to catch them if they fall out. Try picking up a lanyard in your child’s favorite color to encourage safekeeping.
By using these strategies, you can help your child become more responsible for their hearing aids. To learn more about managing your child’s hearing loss, contact The Hearing & Speech Center to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.
