Is your little one not listening properly when you talk? Or is he turning his head in the direction of a sound? Sometimes little ones can have hearing impairments. But don't worry, because there are things that can help with that today. That's what hearing aids are. Let's talk about them in detail today, okay?
What exactly are these hearing aids?
Simply put, a hearing aid is a small electronic device that helps the ear hear better. It is a major treatment for a hearing loss condition called `(Sensorineural Hearing Loss - SNHL)`.
"What is `(Sensorineural Hearing Loss)`?" you may be wondering. Imagine that inside our ear, there is a small, very complex part that is shaped like a snail shell, we call it `(Cochlea)`. Inside this is where the tiny cells and fibers that detect sound are located. Then, if there is any damage to this `(Cochlea)`, or to the auditory nerves that carry sound from there to the brain, then this condition called `(SNHL)` occurs. It is like when the antenna of a perfectly working radio is broken, the sound becomes unclear.
Hearing aids amplify and clarify external sounds and deliver them to the ear. This is especially important for small babies. It has been found that if a baby starts using ``Hearing Aids'' before the age of 6 months, the baby's speech and language skills improve significantly. This is because they begin to hear the sounds around them and their parents' voices clearly. If there is hearing loss in both ears, they usually have to use two hearing aids.
Now let's see what the main parts of this little machine are. It works like a small team:
- Microphone: This is the 'ears' of the group. It picks up all the sounds coming from outside – your voice, a song, a bird's song – it all comes through.
- Computer Chip: This is the 'brain' of the team. It analyzes the sound captured by the microphone and adjusts it to suit your baby's hearing loss so that he can hear it clearly.
- Amplifier: This is the 'sound amplifier'. It makes the sound generated by the chip a little bigger and clearer. It's like turning up the volume when listening to a song.
- Speaker or Receiver: This is the 'mouth'. The amplified and clarified sound is sent into the ear. That's when the baby hears the sound.
The important thing is that not every baby will fit the same type of hearing aid. It's like not everyone can fit the same size shoe. Your audiologist will help you choose the best one for your baby.
What types of hearing aids are there?
There are also different types of hearing aids. Let's look at the main types.
1. Behind-the-ear (BTE)
This is what is mostly used for small babies and children . There is a reason for that. Little ones grow quickly. Then their ears also grow. These `(BTE)` type hearing aids can easily adapt to those changes.
There are two main parts to this:
- The small plastic cover behind the ear: This is where the aforementioned electronic components (microphone, chip, amplifier) and battery are located. It sits above and behind the ear.
- Earmold: This is the part that fits snugly over the outside of the ear. It is made to fit your baby's ear. A small plastic tube connects the part behind the ear to this mold. The sound comes from the device behind the ear, along this tube, through the mold and into the ear.
As children grow, their ears change size, so this earmold needs to be made new from time to time . It's like buying new shoes when they grow out of the shoes they wore when they were little.
2. In-the-ear (ITE)
This type of hearing aid fits completely inside the ear canal. Like the ``BTE'', this one has the electronics inside a plastic shell. However, it is made to fit inside the ear as a single piece. ``ITE'' also comes in different sizes. The size that is suitable depends on the age of the child, the size of the ear, and the degree of hearing loss. These are usually best suited for older children and young people.
The role of the audiologist
An audiologist can help you choose the right hearing aid for your child, fit it correctly, and teach you how to use it. He or she will test your child's hearing and determine the extent of the hearing loss. Only then will they decide what kind of device is needed.
Additional accessories - Remote Microphone or FM System
Sometimes, the audiologist can add a remote microphone or an `(FM system)` in addition to the hearing aid. This is especially useful for school-going children. Imagine, when there are many children in the class, and each one is heard, it is difficult to hear what the teacher is saying clearly. That is when this `(FM system)` comes to the rescue. The teacher wears a small microphone. It sends the teacher's voice directly, without unnecessary noise from the surroundings, to the child's hearing aid through `(FM)` waves or `(Bluetooth)` technology. Then the child can hear what the teacher is saying very clearly. This method can also be used at home or in other places where the noise level is high.
How should we take care of these hearing aids?
These devices are very delicate. Therefore, they need to be taken care of carefully. Read the instruction leaflet that comes with the hearing aid carefully and follow it accordingly. In general, take care of these things:
- Remove earwax from the earmold: Clean the earmold every day, or every other day. Use a soft cloth, tissue, or the small cleaning tool that comes with it. Never rub it with anything rough , as this can damage the mold.
- Keep your hearing aids dry: You need to protect them from water and sweat. Be sure to remove them before bathing or swimming.
- Check the battery: Use a battery tester to check the battery's charge. If the battery is low, replace it with a new one. Some newer models have `rechargeable` batteries. They need to be `charged`.
- Keep batteries safe (this is very important!): Small button batteries are often used for this. Do not leave them where small children can get hold of them . If they put them in their mouths or swallow them, they can cause serious injuries. So, even used batteries should be disposed of carefully.
Remember, for these devices to work properly, it is essential to maintain them properly, just like we take care of our eyeglasses.
What else do we need to know about this?
When you start wearing hearing aids, it will take your baby some time to get used to them. That's normal. It's like putting on a new pair of shoes, right? It feels a little uncomfortable at first.
- Start slowly: Start by setting aside just a few hours a day. Gradually increase the time. Eventually, make it a habit to set aside most of your time each day.
- Encourage positively: Praise your baby while he's wearing it, play with him, and talk to him. This will make him happy to wear it.
- Follow-up visits: Go to regular appointments with the audiologist and the ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT doctor). They will check to see if the hearing aid is working properly, if the ear mold still fits properly, and if your baby's hearing has improved. Don't miss these appointments. They are very important.
Sometimes babies may not want to wear this. At that time, patiently and lovingly explain to them the importance of this. Maybe if you can make the ear mold in a color they like, or if you can stick a small sticker on it, they will be more willing to use it.
So, what is the message we should remember from this story?
It's normal to feel sad and scared when you find out that your child has a hearing loss. But don't worry. Hearing aids are a great solution.
- Early detection and intervention are very important. If you notice any changes in your baby's hearing, seek medical advice immediately.
- An audiologist is your best friend on this journey. Follow his or her advice.
- Learn how to properly use and maintain hearing aids.
- Give your child time to get used to it, and be patient.
- Don't miss scheduled medical appointments .
Remember, with your love, support, and encouragement, your baby can hear all the beautiful sounds in the world, learn well, and live happily, even with a hearing aid. Today, there is advanced technology to help. So stay strong!
` Hearing Aids, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, SNHL, Cochlea, Audiologist, BTE, ITE, Hearing Loss in Children
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