Can't your little one hear? Let's talk about hearing aids!

It's normal to feel a great burden when a doctor tells you that your child has a hearing problem. You may have also been told about this 'Hearing Aid'. So, you probably have a lot of questions in your mind, such as what is this, how to use it, and whether it is suitable for babies. Don't worry, let's talk about all this simply.

What is a hearing aid?

Simply put, a hearing aid is a small electronic gadget that helps people with hearing loss hear sounds better. They are often used as a treatment for a specific type of hearing loss called sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) . You may be wondering what SNHL is, right? Inside our ears, there is a part called the cochlea , and there are also auditory nerves that carry sound waves to the brain. This type of hearing loss occurs when something is damaged in those parts.

So, what this hearing aid does is amplify the sounds around you, clarify them, and deliver them to your ears. It's like turning up the volume with a small microphone. Especially for babies under 6 months old who have SNHL, if they start using these devices early, their speech and language development can improve significantly . That's very important. If a child has hearing loss in both ears, doctors usually recommend using two hearing aids.

What are the main parts of this small device?

Although this hearing aid is small, it has several parts inside that perform very important functions. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Microphone: It's like a microphone that records our voice. It collects all the sounds around us. Then it sends those sounds to the amplifier.
• Computer chip: This is the brain of the device. This chip stores information about your child's hearing loss. Based on that information, the sound is adjusted to suit your child.
• Amplifier: This makes the sound coming from the microphone louder and clearer. Just like the amp in a music listening setup.
• Speaker or Receiver: Finally, the speaker sends the amplified sound from the amplifier into the ear.

Imagine how much technology is packed into this little gadget! But remember, not every child will fit the same hearing aid from the same brand. Your audiologist will help you choose the right one for your child's needs.

Are there different types of hearing aids?

Yes, there are actually several main types. The most suitable type is chosen based on the child's age, the nature of the ear problem, and things like that.

Behind-the-ear (BTE) type

This is what doctors often recommend for young children, especially babies. The reason is that because children grow quickly, these BTE-type parts can be easily modified and adjusted to fit them. There are two main parts to this:

1. A small plastic cover behind the ear: This is where the aforementioned electronic components and battery are located.

2. Earmold: This is made to fit snugly over the outermost part of the child's ear. This mold and that plastic cover are connected by a small plastic tube. The sound comes from that cover, along this tube, through the mold and into the ear.

Important: This earmold is made specifically for your child's ear. As your child's ears grow, the size of their ears will change, so you will need to have the mold re-made from time to time. Your audiologist will tell you about this.

In-the-ear (ITE) type

This type of hearing aid is completely inserted inside the outer part of the ear. Like the BTE, the electronic components are housed in a plastic shell. However, the shell is designed to fit inside the ear, so it is a single piece. This ITE type also comes in different sizes. The one that fits the child depends on factors such as their age and the degree of hearing loss in the ear.

The audiologist will look at all of this and choose the right device for your child. They will perform hearing tests, fit the device properly, and provide the necessary advice.

Another tip: What is an FM system?

Sometimes, your audiologist can add a 'remote microphone' or 'FM system' to your child's hearing aid. This is very useful, especially for school-aged children.

Imagine, when the teacher is talking in class, there are other sounds around. With this FM system, the teacher wears a small microphone, which transmits the teacher's voice directly to the child's hearing aid. This is done using wireless FM waves or Bluetooth technology . Then the child can clearly hear what the teacher is saying over the surrounding noise. This system can be used at home or in other places where there are people.

How to properly care for these hearing aids?

For these devices to work properly, it is very important to take good care of them. You should keep them clean as instructed in the instruction booklet that comes with your hearing aid. Here are some key points to remember:

• Remove earwax from the earmold: Sometimes wax from your child's ear can get stuck in the mold. Wipe it off with a soft cloth or tissue. Or use the small cleaning tool that comes with the hearing aid, if it comes with one. Never clean the hearing aid with anything rough. This can damage the device.
• Keep your device dry: Water and sweat are not good for these devices. So, take them off when bathing or playing sports that cause sweat.
• Check the battery regularly: Use a battery tester to check the battery. If the battery seems low, replace it with a new one.
• Store batteries carefully: Store batteries in a safe place out of the reach of small children. Button batteries, especially small ones, are very dangerous. If a child swallows such a battery, it can cause serious injuries. Therefore, you should be very careful about it.

Remember, proper maintenance of these devices is the only way to get the most out of them and make them last longer.

What other important things do you need to know about this?

There are a few other small things you need to keep in mind.

• It will take some time for the child to get used to it: The child will not immediately like wearing this hearing aid. It is something new. So do not panic, work patiently. At first, give it some time, and gradually get used to wearing it all day. Over time, the child will get used to it.
• See your doctor regularly: See your audiologist and ENT doctor regularly. This is very important. They can check to see if your hearing aid is working properly and if your earmold still fits properly. If there are any minor adjustments that need to be made, they can make sure they are done right.

Imagine, with a little help from you, your child will be able to hear all the beautiful sounds in the world. How great is that?

So, let's summarize what we've talked about. (Take-Home Message)

Okay, we've talked a lot about hearing aids. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

• Hearing aids are a valuable tool that helps children, especially those with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), hear sounds better.
• If babies start using these before they are 6 months old , their speech and language skills will improve greatly.
• There are two main types : BTE (behind the ear) and ITE (in-the-ear) . Your audiologist will help you choose the right one for your child.
• It is very important to keep the device clean and dry, and to take care of the batteries . Especially keep small batteries (button batteries) away from children.
• Give your child some time to get used to this. Be patient and encourage him.
• Don't forget to see your audiologist and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor at regular intervals.

Finally, I have to say, this is not a disease, it is just a help for the child. With your love and support, the child can live happily with this device. If you have any problems, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor, okay?

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