Care For Little Ears

The majority of people with hearing loss, both children and adults, have what is known as a "sensorineural" hearing loss, which means that the cause of the hearing loss originates in the inner ear. With this type of hearing loss, soft sounds and average sounds may require considerable amplification, but often loud sounds do not require as much amplification. Modern hearing aids have the ability to overcome this problem by limiting the output of the hearing aid in such a way that loud sounds will not sound too loud for someone with a hearing loss.

Almost half of all children with hearing loss are diagnosed with a severe-to-profound hearing impairment. As a result, it is important they are fitted with the most powerful hearing aids available, which are appropriate for smaller ears. Another potential issue for fitting children is the fact that the size and shape of the ear canal changes as they grow. Because of this, the hearing aid may require modifications to accommodate those physical changes. Additionally, more or less amplification may be needed in high or low pitches, due to this growth and its associated changes. Infants' earmolds need to be replaced as often as every few weeks because their ears grow rapidly in the first few years. Earmold replacement for older children is normally required several times a year.

Contact a Local Hearing Care Professional

To get more information, contact a Hearing Care Professional. To find one in your area, enter your ZIP code in the form on the left, or go to our search page to search by an entire state. Make sure that the Hearing Care Professional you choose offers pediatric services.