With the widespread practice of hearing screening at birth, the average age at which children are diagnosed with hearing loss has steadily decreased. In tandem, earlier intervention has caused a steady increase in the number of children with hearing loss entering the public schools. Three of every 100 children are born with a hearing loss, while three more will be identified later, having acquired a mild, unilateral or progressive hearing loss before kindergarten. Children are routinely fit with hearing aids by two or three weeks of age or as soon as possible after hearing loss is diagnosed. Children with severe or profound hearing loss may receive a cochlear implant (CI) as early as 12 months of age and after an unsuccessful trial with hearing aids. Still other children with permanent conductive hearing loss may be fit with a Baha® (bone-anchored implant) on a Softband® as an infant, with surgical implantation taking place after the skull has reached a certain level of development (around four years of age).
That’s a lot of kids with ear gear and let’s face it, kids are tough on their hearing aids and implants! What can be done to keep the devices in place and to prevent unnecessary repair, loss and damage? How do you keep a child connected to an expensive hearing aid? What can be done to minimize the chances of a mishap and protect our investment in the unfortunate case one occurs despite preventive efforts? And most of all, what can we do to make hearing fun for little tykes? Fortunately, a number of companies have explored this question and here are some of the answers.
Hearing Pockets for Cochlear Implant Users
The Hearing Pocket, for infants and young children with a body-worn CI speech processor, is an enclosed place where the processor is secure and out of the way. All cotton, these essentials were developed by the parents of an infant with a CI.
The Kuddl-Snug undergear vest is designed for active babies and toddlers with body-worn CIs. The processor stays snug in a pocket which has a hidden buttonhole for the cord and closes with Velcro. Made of white cotton jersey, they can be worn under or on top of clothes. Three standard sizes are available with one or two pockets, adjustable waist and shoulders and optional monogramming.
Hearing Hats and Bands for Baha Users
Hearing Hats are designed for boys and girls prior to getting the Baha surgically implanted and are available through Now Hear This (NHT) Designs. The idea was born when an audiologist modified a baseball cap for a toddler to hold the Baha implant in place. Just for girls, the Hearing Headband comes in sizes from 11 to 20 inches. Headbands come with a matching bow and additional bows may be ordered for $3.50 each and can even be customized to match a favorite outfit.
Clips for BTE Hearing Aids and CI Processors
Fun Oto-clips secure behind-the-ear (BTE) units with a small loop around the earhook of the hearing aids or processor. These loops are attached to a 12-inch lanyard with a plastic critter clip that attaches to the back of a collar or tee shirt.
The Safe N Sound™ Clipz™ is another product to help keep your child’s hearing aid or CI from getting lost. The strap connects one device to the other and lies across the back of the neck at the hairline instead of attaching to the wearer’s clothing.
Now Hear This Designs also offers hearing aid clippies that are made with beads on heavy-duty elastic cord to prevent breaks.
Ear Gear was developed by the parents of a child who played “pirate” with new digital hearing aids, burying them in a tin box under the sofa. These colorful spandex boots attach to a cord and clip and hang safely from the child’s back should she decide to take them off to play “pirate” again. Ear Gear also protects devices from sweat, dirt, dust and rain and protects the ear from chafing. Available with or without the cord and clip, in a wide variety of colors and sizes.
EarWear® is the brainchild of Mimi Shulman, hard of hearing since birth and a hearing aid user. EarWear turns the hearing aid from a functional device into a fashion statement. More than 20 designs and colors are available.
FM Holsters
The FM Holster Sling was designed by an audiologist to accommodate a child’s FM transmitter and microphone, cell phone, keys, change or whatever a preteen or teen might need to sling around to keep their hands free. It’s available in a Pink Cheetah-Denim, Zebra-Denim or in custom designs.
Kid Tough Storage
The OtterBox 1000 is just the thing to protect devices from loss and damage while kids have their aids off to do water sports or other wet activities. The rugged OtterBox can be hooked to anything with its durable cord and has a lifetime guarantee. OtterBox 1000 measures 4.8 x 3.6 x 1.6 inches – about the dimensions of an iPod – and there is a larger size too.
Keeping It in Place
Baby ears are tiny and baby skin is soft and fragile. Fitting hearing aids without chafing the skin is a challenge. It Stays Roll-On Body Adhesive, initially developed to hold surgical stockings, wigs and toupees in place, is great for holding tiny hearing aids in place, though it’s advisable to test for allergic response prior to regular use.
Huggies are clear silicone rings that come in a variety of sizes to which a BTE hearing aid or CI processor can be attached. This ring is then placed around the child’s ear with the earmold or in the ear or with the CI retention device to hold BTE models securely to the ear.
Keeping It Dry
The Hearing Aid Sweat Band by Van B Enterprises comes in six colors and nine sizes and works great for children involved in sports, particularly those requiring helmets, such as football. The Hearing Aid Sweat Band absorbs perspiration, then allows it to evaporate without harming the hearing aid or CI processor. The soft, hypoallergenic fabric will withstand a few launderings when hand washed in a mild detergent and air dried.
Super Seals® were designed by a frustrated parent with an active youngster whose hearing aids were always in the shop because of moisture damage. Super Seal is a form-fitting latex cover that slips over the hearing aid to protect it from dirt and water. Available in three sizes and six colors, this economical disposable comes in starter kits or refill kits. The starter kit contains 12 sets of Super Seals and an insertion tool.
The Kidl Kanister is a dry-aid beaker with a blister pack of two disposable drying agents to keep hearing aid and CI components free from moisture if used on a routine basis. The drying agent is discarded when the crystals turn from amber to pale yellow. The Kidl Kanister is sold separately and also as a part of Pediatric BTE Kidl Kare Kit, which includes a battery tester, listening scope, mirror, dry-aid canister, desiccant blister pack, supply box, tubing puffer, cleaning cloth and tools, sample tube of Lansinoh® cream and a sample package of skin tape. Be sure to accessorize with a whimsical and fun tote from Kidl Fyx Kreations.
Another economical solution to drying out your child’s hearing aid or implant device is the Duck or Fish Hearing Aid Dehumidifier. These containers are designed for function and style and guard against moisture while extending the life of the hearing device. They come with silica gel packets that can be reactivated in a regular or microwave oven.
Dry & Store® is a conditioning system for all types of hearing instruments – traditional hearing aids, as well as CI or Baha equipment. Best results are achieved with in-home use every night. While you sleep, it removes moisture, dries earwax, kills germs and deodorizes hearing devices. Benefits include fewer repairs, better sound quality and longer battery life.
These are just a few of the innovative solutions to making hearing gear kid-compatible.
Pediatrics of America
FYI Hearing Health
Cochlear announced this July the introduction of three new pediatric solutions to enhance the overall experience of Cochlear's implant users. Babyworn™ Accessory Pack + Babyworn™Cable, Freedom Snugfit™, and the BTE Tamper-Resistant Battery Holder and Removal Tool have been designed to accommodate the needs of the youngest users. For more information about the products and Cochlear Americas visit www.CochlearAmericas.com/FreedomForKids.
Donate Now!
DRF funds research that changes lives.
