There are different types of hearing aids suitable for different types of hearing losses, your audiologist will go through all the appropriate options at your hearing aid assessment appointment allowing you to make a shared decision.
Behind the ear hearing aid on either a mould or slim fit tube
These are hearing aids that sit behind the ear with an attachment to the ear canal. Sounds are passed through air conduction and through the normal hearing pathway, i.e. ear canal, middle ear and to the hearing organ. These are appropriate for hearing losses that are stable and where there are no contraindications such as recurrent ear infections or outer ear abnormality.
Bone conduction hearing aid on a soft or hardband
These pass sounds through bone conduction, i.e. through the skull bone directly to the hearing organ and therefore bypass the outer and middle ear. These are appropriate for conductive hearing losses, commonly glue ear related in younger children and children with down’s syndrome, children with an outer ear abnormality or ear infections.
Surgically implanted hearing aid (Bone anchored or middle ear implant)
If a child is unable to wear a behind the ear hearing aid or needs to wear a bone conduction hearing aid permanently, they may be suitable for a hearing aid that is attached to the side of the head after a surgical procedure to implant an internal device.
CROS and BiCROS hearing aid
These are systems that are useful for those with little to no hearing in one ear and therefore not appropriate for conventional aiding of that ear, but better hearing on the other side. A CROS system is used where one ear has normal or near to normal hearing and the other has little to no hearing. A microphone is placed on the ‘bad’ side and information is passed to the better hearing ear through a hearing aid. There is no amplification here but rather sound being passed from one ear to the other. A BiCROS system works in the same way but the hearing aid on the ‘better’ ear is also amplifying sounds should there be a hearing loss in both ears.
Referral to appropriate Cochlear Implant team where required
Where a hearing aid is of limited benefit due to the severity of the hearing loss, the audiologist can discuss and make a referral to the appropriate cochlear implant centre for a more in-depth discussion and assessment to be made. This is usually Nottingham or Birmingham depending on parental preference.
Please find further information regarding hearing aid options and support below:
Your child's hearing aid
