This guide has been put together to assist you, as parents to make sure your child receives the best benefit from their hearing aid. It includes tips and troubleshooting. If you need any help after reading this guide, please contact us.

How do I put the hearing aid in my child’s ear?

It is important to get the earmould into the ear properly. Incorrect insertion can cause feedback (whistling) and can be uncomfortable. Concentrate on the earmould first, the hearing aid just loops over the ear once the earmould is in place.

1. Hold the back of the earmould with your fingers and thumb. Bring the earmould back past the ear – in the position it will be when wearing it. If you are teaching your child to put in their own hearing aid, it is usually easier for them to use their right hand for their right ear and their left hand for their left ear. It is also easier for them to practice using a mirror so they can see when it is in correctly.
2. When fitting the hearing aid, the top of the mould goes under the fold of skin near the top of the ear. The part of the mould with the hole in which holds the tubing goes down into the ear canal.
3. Let go of the earmould and push it into the ear. It may help to pull the ear down and back at the same time.
4. When the earmould is in place, loop the hearing aid over and behind the ear.

If you have an open fit hearing aid

1. Place the hearing aid behind the ear
2. Pull the ear back slightly and insert the tube so that it is roughly in line with the ear
3. Fold the tail backwards into the bowl of the ear.

How do I switch the hearing aid on and off?

If you have a battery operated hearing aid, you will need to open the battery compartment for the hearing aid to turn off. You will need to then close the battery door if you want the hearing aid to turn back on.

If you have a rechargeable hearing aid, hold down the bottom end of the rocker switch/volume up and down button. The hearing aid will flash red when it is turning off, you can then release the button after a couple of seconds following this. You will need to perform the same action again to turn the hearing aid on, where it will flash green instead.

How do I know which is the right and left hearing aid?

It is very important that the right hearing aid is used for your child’s right ear and the left hearing aid is used for your child’s left ear. There should be a small coloured marker visible on the hearing aid to tell you whether it is for the left or for the right ear. This marker may be at the bottom of the hearing aid or on the inside. Red is for the right. Blue is for the left.

How do I change the battery?

The battery is located inside the battery door. When you change the battery, remember to remove the sticky tab and make sure it goes into the battery compartment the right way round, the (+) on the battery should face upwards and be visible. If the battery compartment sticks when you try to close it, don’t force it – the battery is probably the wrong way round and you need to check.

For younger children their hearing aid will usually have a lockable battery drawer. This is to prevent your child from being able to access the battery. In these cases we provide tools to enable you to open the battery drawer. Please ask your audiologist if you are not sure.

On average the batteries last between seven and 10 days. When the battery is low the hearing aid gives a warning signal (bleeping sound). If this sound beeps then please change the battery.

For young children please change the batteries on a regular basis. We recommend selecting a day and changing the same day every week to make sure your child can always hear.

Never leave battery packs unattended or in reach of young children. They can cause significant harm if ingested.

What is the brown book for and how do I get new batteries?

The brown book proves your child’s hearing aids are provided by the NHS and they are entitled to free batteries for their hearing aids.

The audiologists should provide you with enough batteries to last until your child’s next appointment. If you run out, you are welcome to attend your nearest site to collect more, however there are other locations and centres which will provide batteries but you must always take your child’s brown book if you attend these. For a local list, please ask us.

How often does my child need to have earmoulds made?

This will depend entirely on the age of your child. The younger the child the more frequently the earmoulds will need to be made. For very young babies this can be as often as every few weeks. If the hearing aid is causing feedback (whistling) and you notice the earmould is loose in your child’s ear, it is likely your child will require a new mould. You can use a lubricating jelly (aquagel) to help seal the mould to help prevent feedback whilst you wait for a new impression appointment.

When and how often should my child wear their hearing aid(s)?

Ideally the hearing aid(s) should be worn all day every day. It can take time for some children to adapt to the hearing aids and the sounds they provide, especially children who were not fitted with hearing aids as young babies.

You should take your child’s hearing aid out when they go to bed at night, switch the hearing aid(s) off and store them safely. Ideally place them overnight in the drying pot which was issued in your care kit bag.

Hearing aids are not waterproof and care should be taken when using them in the rain. They should be removed for bath time or swimming.

If your child has an active ear infection we advise they keep their hearing aid out where possible to enable the ear to heal. The use of Milton sterilising solution should be used to clean the mould before putting back in the ear to prevent reinfection.

Is my child able to use the phone with their hearing aid(s)?

Yes, your child is able to use the phone. We recommend the phone is held over the hearing aid microphone. This would mean your child would be holding the phone at the top of their ear.

The hearing aids we provide and are upgrading our children to, have bluetooth technology. This means that your child can use their phone hands free, to stream straight to their hearing aids

How do I clean the hearing aid?

The earmould and hearing aid need to be kept clean. The earmould needs to be washed regularly with soap and water. To wash the earmould you need to remove it from the hearing aid. To do this hold onto the tubing with one hand and the hearing aid in the other and ease the two bits apart. Don’t pull the tubing out of the earmould.

Once washed rinse with cold water and puff out any excess water from the tubing using the puffer provided in your care kit bag. Allow it to dry overnight (in the drying pot provided) and secure the earmould back on to the hearing aid.

Make sure you put the right hearing aid on the right earmould and vice versa (remember a red marker is for the right, and blue marker is for the left).

Milton sterilising solution can be used to clean the mould especially when your child is prone to ear infections.

Moisture or condensation can build up in the tube. If this happens you can disconnect the earmould and hearing aid and use the puffer to remove the moisture.

You can also use a gentle wet wipe over the whole of the hearing aid if it is required. You must not get your child’s hearing aids wet. You can use a non-foaming wet wipe or alcohol wipe/pad to clean the hearing aid if it is required.

When and how do you change the tubing in the earmould?

The tubing in your child’s earmould will need changing when:

• it becomes hard or brittle,
• if it is discoloured
• if it is completely blocked with wax,
• if it splits
• if your child suffers from frequent ear infections.

The following steps will help you to change the tubing:

1. Remove the old tubing from the earmould. Set this aside as you will need it later.
2. Cut the last 5cm/2inches of one end of the tubing at a slant.
3. You will end up with a tapered end on the tubing. Push this end through the earmould.
4. Thread through the earmould and pull the tubing until the bend reaches the earmould
5. Cut the tapered end as close to the earmould as possible.
6. Use the old piece of tubing to measure the current tubing to the correct length.

You may find it useful to watch a video on re-tubing your earmould: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVJeA4FEjhQ

What should I do if the hearing aid will not switch on or is too soft?

1. Check that the battery drawer is completely shut.
2. Check the battery has been inserted correctly.
3. Check the battery has not run out (change the battery if necessary).
4. Check that your child’s earmould is not blocked by condensation or wax.

If your child has a rechargeable hearing aid, please place it on charge for ten minutes and try again. You should also evaluate the charging plug, wire and case, to make sure it is plugged in properly.

If there is still a problem, please call us to arrange a repair appointment.

What should I do if the hearing aid is too loud?

A common cause of a hearing aid being perceived as too loud is that your child has not yet adapted to the sound. Gradually increasing the duration your child wears their hearing aid should help. If your child is finding sounds uncomfortable, please call and let us know and we will be able to arrange an appointment.

What should I do if the hearing aid is whistling when it is in my child’s ear?

Whistling (also known as feedback) happens when the sound is escaping the ear canal – there are a number of different reasons for this including:

• an earmould that is not inserted correctly
• a blockage of wax in the ear canal
• earmoulds that do not fit properly (most commonly because your child has grown).

If you have checked the above and the hearing aid is still whistling, please call us to arrange a hearing aid repair appointment/impression appointment.

What should I do if the earmould makes my child’s ear sore?

Make sure the earmould has been correctly placed in their ear. Occasionally earmoulds will not fit correctly (there are a number of different reasons for this). If is just one ear that is affected try leaving the hearing aid out for a period of time to let it heal and if there is still a concern call and arrange an appointment.

I think there is a problem with the hearing aid or the hearing aid has been lost

Please contact us if:

• you need advice about your child’s hearing aid
• there seems to be a problem with the hearing aid after following the guidance above
• your child needs new earmoulds
• your child has lost their hearing aid – we will need to know whether they have lost the whole hearing aid or just individual parts.

Resources

• National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) ndcs.org.uk
• Kent Deaf Children’s Society (KDCS) kdcs.org/ and www.youtube.com/user/ndcswebteam/videos
• How to videos
  • youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7B1043ABAEC9A100
  • https://c2hearonline.com/patient1.html
• Ali gets hearing aids, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/documents-and-resources/ali-gets-hearing-aids/
• What does hearing loss sound like, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/information-and-support/childhood-deafness/what-is-deafness/what-does-hearing-loss-sound-like
• Communicating with your deaf child, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/family_support/communication/communicating_with_your_deaf_child/
• Childhood deafness, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/family_support/childhood_deafness/index.html
• Hearing aids, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/family_support/childhood_deafness/hearing_aids/index.html
• Education for deaf children ndcs.org.uk/family_support/education_for_deaf_children/index.html
• Support in your area, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/family_support/support_in_your_area/index.html
• Positive parenting and families, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/family_support/positive_parenting_families/index.html
• Technology and products, NDCS ndcs.org.uk/family_support/technology_and_products/index.html
• Kent County Council, Special educational needs and disability (SEND) local offer kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs
• Right from the start campaign, NDCS slideshare.net/NDCS