Hearing Aids for Children
How can I schedule an appointment for the first visit?
Contact All Children's Hospital Main Campus Audiology at (727) 767-8989 to make an appointment.
Most insurance companies cover the cost of diagnostic evaluation, but many do not cover the cost of hearing aids. Payment by cash, check or credit card is due on the day of your visit.
Why Should I Have My Child Wear Hearing Aids?
- Children use their hearing to develop language skills in order to communicate.
- If a child has a hearing loss, the basic development of language will often be delayed.
- Even a mild hearing loss can affect a child's language development and communications skills.
"If your baby wears hearing aids only four hours each day, it will take six years to give him as much listening experience as a normally hearing infant accumulates in one year."
(Stovall, D. [1982]. Teaching Speech to Hearing Impaired Infants and Children. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.)
What if My Child is Just a Baby?
- The earlier the hearing loss is detected and the earlier it is treated, the better outcome for the child.
- With today’s technology, children can be fitted with hearing aids within the first few weeks or months after birth.
- The first step is to have the child fitted with the appropriate hearing aid.
- This is where your audiologist plays a big part for you and your child!
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The day your child begins wearing hearing aids is the day you start helping him overcome some of the challenges created by hearing impairment!
Why Choose All Children's?
- All Children's Hospital Master’s or Doctoral educated audiologists can determine what type of hearing aid will best meet your child’s specific needs based on a detailed hearing evaluation battery.
- We dispense digital hearing aids and verify the hearing aid’s unique performance to better meet your child’s needs.
- We provide hearing aid checkups and services to keep your child hearing and to ensure that their hearing aids are working at their best.
- We provide extensive education about hearing aid use, care, and age appropriate training with you and your child on the options the hearing aids provide.
- We work closely with your child’s Speech Language Pathologist and your child’s teacher or educational audiologist.
Where Can I Get More Information?
The American Speech-Language Hearing Association maintains an excellent set of articles and resources for patients and families regarding Speech-Language Hearing issues. Their article on Hearing Aids for Children provides more detailed information.