As summer ends and your child gets ready to go back to Fremont Elementary School, you probably have a lot to do to prepare. If your child wears hearing aids, consider taking these extra steps to ensure they are set to have a successful new year.
Talk to Your Child’s Teachers About Hearing Loss
If you are able to, talking to your child’s teachers, school staff, and/or coaches before the start of the school year can be incredibly helpful. Doing so can give you the opportunity to:
- Discuss your child’s specific hearing loss needs.
- Work with their teacher to figure out how to maximize your child’s ability to hear well in the classroom, such as making sure they get a seat up in the front of the class.
- Show them how your child’s specific hearing aid model works. Especially if your child is younger, it can be helpful for school staff to know how to troubleshoot the device or change batteries if needed.
- Keep an open line of communication between you and their teachers throughout the school year.
Communication with your child’s teachers can be especially important since observational studies have shown that many children with hearing loss don’t wear their hearing aids when they are in class and that their parents are often unaware of this.
Make Sure They Have All Their Hearing Aid Supplies
It’s important for children who wear their hearing aids in class to have all the accessories and supplies necessary to keep their device safe and working throughout the day. Some things you should consider making sure they have with them include:
- Extra batteries
- A soft dry cloth or hearing aid cleaning kit
- Adhesives or clips to keep hearing aids from falling off and getting damaged
- Hearing aid sleeves for gym class or practice to protect their device from moisture
- Fabric softener sheets to limit built-up static electricity
- A notecard with troubleshooting directions in case their hearing aid stops working
- A hard-shell storage kit to keep all these accessories safe and in one place
Bottom Line
If your child has hearing loss, making sure they wear their hearing aids correctly and consistently is one of the best ways to help them succeed academically and connect with their peers.
If you have concerns about your child’s hearing and would like to speak with an expert or schedule an appointment, call Advantage ENT & Audiology today.