Out of all the questions I get from parents of young children with hearing loss, “How do I keep his hearing aids/cochlear implants on?” is one of the most common. As a parent, I can imagine that this must feel frustrating, overwhelming, and exhausting. Sometimes it’s hard enough just wrestling with your little one to change his diaper or get his clothes on! Add hearing technology to the mix and now you may just want to throw up your hands and wave the white flag of surrender, right? Not so fast! Read on for some quick tips of things you can do to help, along with some reasons why it’s so important not to give up.
1. Keep the experience positive. I know this sounds tough, but your child will read your cues and respond to the emotions you’re giving off. If you’re feeling uneasy or frustrated when you’re trying to put your baby’s hearing aids on, he will sense that and respond to it. To try and avoid a power struggle, take a deep breath and give your little one something fun and motivating to keep his hands busy while you put his hearing aids or cochlear implants on. If he goes to pull them out, your first instinct may be to say, “No!” Instead, try to redirect his attention to something else or gently take his hands and play a quick game of Patty-Cake or Peek-a-Boo to keep his hands busy and his mind distracted.
2. Make a hearing aid/cochlear implant toy box. In an effort to keep your baby busy and distracted, consider making a little box of toys that your child only gets to play with while you are putting his hearing technology (i.e. hearing aids or cochlear implants) on. These toys should be especially exciting and motivating. Make sure the only time your child gets to play with them is when he first starts wearing his hearing aids or cochlear implants that day. If he removes his hearing technology, the box of toys is put away until he allows his hearing aids or cochlear implants to be put back on. Remember to limit the exposure of these toys throughout the day so that they remain motivating and keep your baby’s interest. Consider rotating toys that are in the box to help the box keep some of its “magic” a bit longer.
3. Be consistent. Children thrive with routine and consistent expectations. Incorporate the hearing aids/cochlear implants into your morning routine. Choose a time that you are going to put them on and stick with it. For example, you might decide to put them on every morning after changing your baby’s diaper or after getting him dressed. By keeping this routine consistent, you are helping your baby know what to expect and giving him a sense of security. It also provides him with predictability, which can help him feel like he has a greater sense of control over his day.
4. Consider using hearing aid/cochlear implant accessories to help! Nowadays there are so many different types of equipment you can try. Etsy has many different shops that sell hats, headbands, clips, etc. Here are a few you might want to look into:
-Fun Hearing Aid Clips from PurpleCatAidCharms
5. Get your child excited about his hearing aids or cochlear implants! For older children who are battling their hearing technology, there are hearing aid stickers, hearing aid charms, etc. Here are a few to consider:
-Hearing Aid Charms
-Decorations for Tubing from EarSavers
6. Try putting your baby’s hearing technology on without actually powering on the device. I usually reserve this strategy as a last resort or in extreme circumstances when a child is really struggling with adjusting to life with sound. Sometimes just getting the hearing aids or cochlear implants on children’s heads is the biggest battle. Once the devices are on and your child is settled and distracted, turn the power on. Make sure you don’t forget this step!! Otherwise your child will be crawling around with very expensive earplugs. If your child does not resist his hearing technology when it is powered off but begins to struggle once the technology is powered on, consult your audiologist.
7. Stay up to date with audiological testing, hearing aid programming/cochlear implant mapping, and ear mold impressions. This can help ensure that your child’s hearing technology is fitted comfortably and appropriately. If your child used to keep his hearing aids or cochlear implants on without any fuss and now is suddenly putting up a struggle, it could be an issue with the fit. There are many factors that can affect the way hearing aids or cochlear implants feel to children. Young babies outgrow their ear molds very quickly, and when they are too loose they feel uncomfortable (and produce that annoying feedback!). Hearing aid tubing (the piece that connects the hearing aid itself to the ear mold) needs to be cut at an appropriate length so that the hearing aid can sit comfortably on the ear. Regular programming/mapping appointments help to make sure that your child is getting adequate access to sound.
8. Don’t give up! Even though it may seem like things will never get easier, this too shall pass. For parents who have chosen a listening and spoken language outcome for their child, it is so important that your child has as much access to sound and language throughout the day. Without his hearing aids or cochlear implants on, he is missing out on opportunities to learn spoken language. Don’t beat yourself up, just aim to keep those hearing aids/cochlear implants on a little bit longer than the day before. Before you know it, your child will be asking you to put them on!
What are some of your parenting hacks for helping to keep your child’s hearing aids or cochlear implants on? Be sure to comment below!