As a parent, you want to do everything you can to help your child succeed this year. If your child wears hearing aids, there are extra steps you can take to ensure they thrive in the classroom. Making sure that they are comfortable and confident in their devices can set them up for a successful school year. Here are four tips to help your child adjust to wearing hearing aids at school.
Connect with Their Teachers
One of the most important steps in helping your child adjust to wearing hearing aids in the classroom is building a strong line of communication with their teachers. Start by discussing your child’s hearing loss needs and work together with the teacher to ensure your child can hear as clearly as possible. For example, arranging for your child to sit in the front of the classroom or near the teacher can help them hear instructions better. Take the time to show the teacher your child’s specific hearing aid model, explaining how it works, and offering tips for troubleshooting or changing the batteries if needed. By staying in touch with the teacher throughout the school year, you can address any hearing-related challenges that may arise.
Put Together a Hearing Aid Kit
It’s important to make sure your child is well-equipped to handle their hearing aids during the school day. A good way to do this is by preparing a hearing aid kit with everything they might need. Include extra hearing aid batteries, adhesive strips to keep the device secure, and clips or sleeves to protect the hearing aids during active times like recess or gym class. You should also pack a soft cloth or a brush to clean the devices and remove any debris. A notecard with basic troubleshooting tips can also be helpful, along with fabric softener sheets to discharge static electricity from the hearing aid. With the right accessories, your child will feel more confident in managing their device throughout the day.
Prepare Them to Answer Questions About Hearing Aids
Your child may encounter questions from classmates about their hearing aids. To help them feel more comfortable, educate your child about their devices and encourage them to answer questions confidently. Reassure them that it’s perfectly normal to wear hearing aids and that classmates may simply be curious. By giving your child the knowledge they need, you’ll help them feel empowered and less likely to be embarrassed about their hearing aids. A positive attitude toward their devices can encourage classmates to be more understanding as well.
Stress the Importance of Wearing Hearing Aids Consistently
A 2015 observational study found that nearly 24% of children with hearing aids were not consistently wearing their devices in class. It’s essential to sit down with your child at the beginning of the school year and explain why wearing their hearing aids every day is so important. Let them know that their hearing aids help them succeed in class by making sure they can hear the teacher and participate fully in lessons. Additionally, you can ask the teacher to monitor if your child is taking off their hearing aids and help reinforce the importance of wearing them consistently.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric hearing loss specialists, call Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic today.