It may seem that providing the right hearing aids for your child is an irreversible decision, which should be done with caution. However, contrary to popular belief, the hearing aid fitting process is very flexible, adaptable and ongoing.

Recent technology has expanded the range of hearing aids that are available on the market. Although this increase in options may appear to make your decision even more uncertain, advances in technology have also increased the potential for a successful fitting.

The right hearing aid will depend on characteristics that are unique to your child and his or her environment. Your hearing healthcare professional will advise you regarding the pros and cons of certain hearing aids for your child.

Hearing aids, both ears If your child has a hearing loss in both ears, it is important that hearing aids are worn on both ears. Amplification in both hearing impaired ears, called a binaural fitting, will help provide better understanding of speech in noisy situations. In addition, a lack of auditory stimulation in the unamplified ear may cause the underlying neural fibres corresponding to that ear to gradually become less functional. Fitting a hearing aid on an ear which has received little auditory stimulation over a prolonged period of time may not provide additional benefit to overall hearing capabilities.		Getting used to new sounds Once hearing aids are provided, success will depend highly on your motivation and perseverance. Your child will need to understand that the hearing aids should be worn as much as possible to ensure optimum interaction and communication. Your positive and encouraging attitude can set a valuable example.