This module builds on what you learned in the TAP Preprogrammed hearing aids module.
Instruction
Read on to learn about providing programmable hearing aids for children.
Impact of hearing aids
Hearing aids help children with hearing loss to hear speech and sounds in their environment.
Hearing aids can reduce the effect of hearing loss. They support a child’s:
- Learning at school
- Socialising and friendships
- Speech and language development.
Assessment for hearing aids
- Children five years and older can be assessed and fitted with programmable hearing aids
- Children under five years of age can also use programmable hearing aids. However, they require assessment from a person with more specialist training. Refer to an ear and hearing professional.
L'exemple de Basir
Basir is six years old and goes to school with his five year old sister, Siti. Basir’s teacher noticed he was quiet at school and did not put his hand up to answer questions. Basir was identified with hearing loss after a school screening programme.
After a hearing test, with permission from his parents, Basir was fitted with programmable hearing aids. Now he is more talkative at home and participating in class.
Question
L'exemple de Suhaila
Suhaila a deux ans. Elle vit avec sa mère, son père et leur chien.
Elle ne réagit pas quand son chien aboie et ne se tourne pas vers lui. Elle ne prononce encore aucun mot.
Would you continue to assess Suhaila for hearing aids?
La bonne réponse est Non.
Suhaila is under five years of age. She should be referred to an ear and hearing professional for an assessment.
Assessment for hearing aids requires a hearing test.
Before carrying out a hearing test for children complete an ear health screen to check both their ears are healthy.
Ear problems can affect a child’s ability to hear. Many ear problems can be treated and the child’s hearing improved or fully restored.
Mesure de la perte d'audition
Children with hearing loss cannot hear as well as children with normal hearing.
The results of a hearing test can be graded to six different levels for each ear.
| Degré | Moyenne | Recommendation |
| Plage d'audition normale | Moyenne inférieure à 20 dB | Adults and children: Hearing aids not needed. Teach ear care. Reassess in 1 year or sooner if person or caregiver notices change in hearing or ear health. |
| Perte d'audition légère | Moyenne de 20 à 34 dB | Children: Hearing aid fitting. Adults: Monitor and reassess in 1 year. Teach ear care. |
| Perte d'audition modérée | Moyenne de 35 à 49 dB | Adults and children: Hearing aid fitting. |
| Perte d'audition modérément sévère | Moyenne de 50 à 64 dB | Adults and children: Hearing aid fitting. |
| Perte d'audition sévère | Moyenne de 65 à 79 dB | Children: Refer to ear and hearing professional. Adults: Hearing aid fitting. |
| Perte d'audition profonde | Moyenne supérieure à 80 dB | Adults and children: Refer to ear and hearing professional. |
Question
Which grades of hearing loss would you recommend children are provided with hearing aids?
Sélectionnez trois réponses.
Mild, moderate and moderately severe grades of hearing loss are correct!
Mild hearing loss may impact on a child’s language development and ability to learn. It is important to recommend hearing aids for children with mild to moderately severe grades of hearing loss.
Children with severe and profound hearing loss have more complex needs and should be referred to an ear and hearing professional.
Discussion
Do you know any children who use hearing aids? How do they help them in their daily life?
Programmable hearing aids
If a child has hearing loss, programmable hearing aids are recommended.
Programmable hearing aids are also an option for adults.
Instruction
If an adult requires programmable hearing aids refer to an ear and hearing professional.
Parts
Instruction
Test your knowledge of parts of hearing aids in this activity.
Activité
For the programmable hearing aids available in your service, can you find the following parts of the hearing aid?
- Microphone
- Coude auriculaire
- Embout standard
- Pile
- Bouton de volume
- Programme switch
- Where is the programming connection point?
- How does the hearing aid connect to the phone/tablet or computer?
Use the product manual to help you to find the answers to these questions.
Instruction
If you are not sure about any of the parts and what they do, review Lesson one in the TAP Preprogrammed hearing aids module.
Adjustments for programmable hearing aids
Programmable hearing aids are adjusted according to individual needs.
Elles peuvent être ajustées avec :
- un logiciel informatique
- une application
They provide extra programming features to make sounds clearer. This is important to support children’s learning and language development.
Question
What type of hearing aid is recommended for children?
Sélectionnez une réponse.
Si vous avez sélectionné la réponse b, vous avez raison.
Children should be offered programmable hearing aids for both ears.