Use and Care

Many older children may react positively to rewards for wearing the hearing aids for the desired period of time each day.

Normal Hours of Wear

After the initial adjustment period, your child will begin to accept the idea of wearing his or her hearing aids as part of normal, everyday life. Consult with your Hearing Care Professional as to the recommended number of hours per day the aids should be worn. If you have any questions, remember your Hearing Care Professional and staff are there to answer them.

Caring For Hearing Aids

Understand your child’s need to participate in various activities. Let him or her know that it’s OK to run, play, and engage in sports activities with everyone else. But educate your child regarding the aspects of everyday life that can affect hearing aids – moisture, dust, and perspiration, for example. With just a little attention to these details, you’re less likely to encounter problems that can affect the long-term performance of the aids themselves.

It is also important to pay attention to the average life of your child’s hearing aid batteries, with a younger child in particular. He or she may not always be able to tell you when the batteries are dead.

Daily Checkups

A stethoset can be used to inspect the hearing aids. This looks like a stethoscope normally used by your doctor. To use it, connect the hook of the hearing aid to the tube of the stethoset. Then, put the stethoset into your ears and speak. You should be able to hear your words through the earpieces.

You also may be able to detect a crackling noise or other unnaturalsound that may indicate a problem. If so, take the aid to your Hearing Care Professional for evaluation and possible repair.

Clean and Dry

Excess moisture is one of the most common causes of poor hearing aid performance. You should periodically check the earmold, tube and hooks for signs of moisture, dirt or dust. Excess earwax (cerumen) also can affect the aid’s performance.

Let your Hearing Care Professional show you and your child the procedures for checking and cleaning your hearing aids, using a soft tissue or cloth, and a small brush that will be provided as an accessory.

Changing Batteries

Today, most hearing aids operate with zinc air batteries, which have a + and – pole, like other batteries. Zinc air batteries are activated by removing the small plastic tab covering them when new. Wait a few moments for the air to flow into the battery, activating the power, and then install them as shown by your Hearing Care Professional.

Use a battery tester to check the status of the batteries on a regular basis. Assuming he or she is old enough, engage your child in the process of learning how to care for his or her aids.

CAUTION: Never allow your child to play with the batteries. They are small and can be easily swallowed. If a battery is accidentally swallowed, seek medical attention immediately, or call the National Button Battery Hotline collect at (202) 625-3333.

Hearing aid earmolds and batteries should never be put in the mouth for any reason – these are a choking hazard for infants and children.

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.