Change can be a little scary when you’re a kid. From small changes like new friends and classrooms to significant changes like new schools and homes, a child’s life is constantly shifting, and it is natural for them to feel a little unsteady.
Hearing aids are one big change you and your child may not have been expecting. Finding out your child has hearing loss may feel scary, but with a couple of tips, you can help them embrace this new change head-on.
How Common Is Childhood Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is extremely widespread, affecting more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. While it is a common misconception that hearing loss only affects older people or those exposed to loud noise, anyone can have hearing loss. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 14.9% of children ages six to 19 have low- or high-frequency hearing loss of at least 16 decibels in one or both ears.
The prevalence of childhood hearing loss means that your child is part of a whole community of other kids and certainly doesn’t need to feel alone in their experience.
Tips To Help Your Child Tackle Their Hearing Loss
A few helpful tips to help your child acclimate to their new life with hearing loss include:
- Be upfront. People often say that children appreciate it when adults are upfront with them. This saying applies to hearing loss as well. Your child will likely have many questions about their hearing aids and loss. Do your best to answer them openly and honestly. If your child has questions you’re uncertain about, make an appointment with their audiologist to ensure they get accurate answers. You know your child better than anyone, so always use your best judgment when deciding what to share.
- Start small. Acclimating to new hearing aids takes time. Your child may not want to wear their new devices. Starting small is an excellent way to ease them into their new routine. Encourage them to wear their hearing aids during activities they enjoy. Have them wear their devices when watching movies or playing at the park with friends. If they take a little extra convincing, have them wear their devices to order their favorite custard at Ted Drewes. Showing them that their hearing aids can enhance their fun activities will help them embrace daily wear.
- Embrace books and movies. Find books and movies that feature children with hearing loss. Exposure to hearing loss representation will help your child feel less alone in their diagnosis and encourage them to approach hearing loss with new confidence.
Being upfront about their hearing loss, starting small with wearing their devices and providing books and movies featuring characters with hearing loss are all great ways to help your child embrace their hearing aids. To learn more about hearing loss treatment, contact Midwest ENT Centre today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.