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Hearing Aids for Kids

Hearing loss can have a significant impact on your child's development, especially with learning, speech, emotional and social well-being. Fortunately, hearing aids are an effective treatment for your child.

  1. Hearing Tests

    • It is important to have your child's hearing tested to determine the type and severity of hearing loss, and the ability to understand speech. Hearing tests are administered by audiologists, who are hearing care professionals trained in the evaluation and non-medical treatment of hearing loss.

    Medical examination

    • Your child will need a medical examination by an otolaryngologist who is an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. The ENT will determine the cause and possible medical treatment.

    Hearing aid evaluation and fitting

    • Your audiologist will recommend and fit your child with the most appropriate hearing aids. The behind-the-ear (BTE) style is most often recommended because it can be adjusted for ear size as your child grows. BTE hearing aids can also be connected to special devices for school.

    Hearing aid follow-up visits

    • Your child will need to return to the audiologist for follow-up visits after the initial fitting with hearing aids. Your child's hearing aids will need to be adjusted as she adapts to the devices and learns how to hear. Several visits will be required during the first month or so, followed by regular rechecks in six-month intervals.

    Assistive devices for school

    • FM classroom amplification systems that connect wirelessly to your child's hearing aids are often recommended. They provide a clear signal in reverberant and noisy classrooms, which allows your child to optimally hear the teacher's voice.

    Hearing aid costs

    • The cost of two hearing aids can range from $1,500 up to $6,000 or more. Since children will need new hearing aids every five to seven years for the rest of their lives, it is important to seek out financial assistance. Check with your medical insurance for hearing aid benefits. You should also check with national and local third party sources, such as the Lion's Club.

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