When it comes to hearing aids, there are different options available depending on a child’s age, the nature of the hearing loss, the degree of the hearing loss, and other factors. An audiologist will recommend the most appropriate option for your child based on his or her unique needs and as a team you can make a decision regarding which hearing aids will be best for your child to try. Following is an overview of the most common types of hearing aids:
1) Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids:
With BTE hearing aids, the hearing device sits behind the ear and a custom-made earmold (made of soft material) sits in the ear, delivering the sound from the aid into the ear canal and holding the device in place. BTE hearing aids are most commonly recommended for pediatric hearing aid users for several reasons:
- Children grow quickly and so do their ears. As the child grows, the earmold in the ear is replaced regularly for a minimal cost. Depending on the age and the amount of growth of the child, the earmold will usually need to be replaced every 3-12 months, while the hearing aid itself is usually only replaced approximately every five years
- BTE hearing aids are the safest option for children. As the hard plastic housing and electronics are placed outside of the ear canal and only a soft mold is inside of the ear, this style of hearing aid carries the least risk of injury if your child were to get bumped in the head. BTE hearing aids also have volume-control covers and tamper-proof battery compartments, to prevent accidental ingestion of batteries or other small hearing aid parts
- Durability: BTE hearing aids typically require fewer repairs and remakes than custom earing aids, and they may also be water-resistant
- Flexibility: BTE hearing aids can typically accommodate for a greater range in hearing levels. This means that the hearing aids can more easily be adjusted if your child’s hearing changes over time. There is also less chance of developing feedback (a whistling noise) at higher volume levels.
- BTE Hearing aids are more compatible with Assistive Listening Devices. Most children with hearing loss will require the use of a digital modulation system in order to better understand speech in challenging listening environments, such as the classroom setting
2) Custom Hearing Aids:
Custom hearing aids (in-the-ear hearing aids, in-the-canal hearing aids, or completely-in-canal hearing aids) are devices that fit inside the ear. Custom hearing aids are usually not recommended for children for the following reasons:
- Custom hearing aids do not allow for easy accommodation for your child’s growth. The hearing aid consists of a hard shell that is custom-made to fit the ear, but as your child’s ear grows the hearing aid will no longer fit properly. An improper fit can result in feedback (whistling/squealing of the hearing aid), improper amplification, and possibly loss of the hearing aid if it falls out of the ear
- Because custom hearing aids are made of a hard shell, they pose a risk of serious injury if your child were to sustain an impact to the head
- Custom hearing aids do not easily allow for connection to digital modulation systems, which are crucial for successful communication in challenging environments such as the classroom
3) Receiver-in-Canal Hearing Aids:
When children get older, depending on the degree of hearing loss, a slightly smaller receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid with a smaller soft custom mold might be appropriate