Getting Your Child Started on Wearing Their Hearing Aid at Home

The best time for your baby to start wearing their hearing aid(s) is when they are well rested, happy, and someone is talking and playing with them. By the time your baby is able to sit without support, they can wear their hearing aids for a longer time.

Some children will be able to wear their hearing aids all day from the start. Others may take longer to get used to the new sounds and feeling of wearing something in their ear. At first, choose important listening times such as in the classroom, reading time or mealtime for your child to use their hearing aids. Have your child wear the hearing aids for as long as possible each day. Your child should soon be able to wear the hearing aids from the time they wake to the time they go to bed. It may take a few days to a few weeks for your child to get used to wearing them all day.

Follow these steps for young children:

At first, teach your child that an adult must remove the hearing aid(s). Each time your child begins to pull off the hearing aid, say or sign, “Mommy’s job” or “Daddy put on,” and then, “Hearing aid on.” Then refit the hearing aid(s). Move to the next step when you and your child are successful with step 1.

When your child begins to let you know they want to remove the hearing aid, for example by pointing, reward that message. Say or sign, “You want the hearing aid off,” or “Hearing aid off,” and then remove the hearing aid. Move to the next step when you and your child are successful with step 2.

When your child wants it removed, say or sign, “Let’s wait,” or “Wait a minute.” Play with your child a bit longer. Then take the hearing aid off, saying or signing, “Time to take the hearing aid off,” or “Hearing aid off.” Then remove your child’s hearing aid. The next time, make your child wait a little longer. Slowly you can increase the wearing time.

You really want your child’s first experiences at home with their hearing devices to be as positive as possible. Try creating a special “listening time” in the morning (when child is well rested, relaxed and in a good mood). Let your child watch in a mirror when you put their hearing devices on (don’t forget to smile!).

Child can pick a special activity and spend quality time with you while wearing their hearing devices.

• Favorite TV show or movie
• Play games on their tablet
• Read stories together
• Silly “dance party” to their favorite music (don’t forget to join in!)
• Eat a special snack (and talk about the sounds they hear when they eat it)
• Take a walk outside (hold one of their hands and let them hold a special toy in the other hand)
• Table activities such as Legos, playdough, and finger painting (busy hands can help with listening ears!)

• Get toys that make a fun sound. Have some new, special toys that make a fun sound. They only get to play with the toy when they have their hearing devices on. If hearing aids are off, toy goes away. Try again later.
• Have dolls wear a hearing device. Some dolls have hearing device accessories (hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc). This can really be motivating for some kids.
• Play listening games. Take a “listening walk” together. “Now that you have your super ears, let’s take a listening walk. I wonder what sounds you will be able to find!”
• Use stickers as reward.
  
  • Each morning, let your child pick out a new hearing aid sticker (your child’s new device will likely have come with stickers especially designed for their device). This will give them a sense of ownership and control.
  • Start a sticker chart reward system (example: child wears their hearing device well that morning or day, they get a sticker). When they fill up the chart, they get to pick out something special or choose a family outing.
• Talk about the new sounds they heard that day. Were they able to hear any animal sounds? Did they hear a bird? Did they hear a fast car? Talk about what sounds they hope to hear tomorrow!
• Use FaceTime/video conference! Have your child do a video call with a loved one so child can show off their hearing device.

Give big praise! Really praise your child when they tolerate the hearing device (even if they wear it only for a few minutes). It may be best to start practice wearing the device in a quiet environment, one-on-one, for awhile.

After your child can wear their device for a short time, add on additional wear time each day.

Remember the goal is hearing device use for “all waking hours” (except when your child is in water). This typically means at least 10 hours of hearing device use per day.