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Treatment

Pediatric Hearing Aids

What are hearing aids?

Hearing aids are small electronic or battery-operated devices that can amplify and change sound. They are used by people with hearing loss. A hearing aid has a microphone that receives sound and changes it into sound waves. The sound waves are then changed into electrical signals.

More than 3 million children in the U.S. have hearing loss. About 1.3 million of them are younger than age 3. More children will lose their hearing later in childhood. Hearing aids can help improve hearing and speech, especially for children with a type of hearing loss called nerve deafness (sensorineural hearing loss). This type of hearing loss may be caused by damaged hair cells (sensory receptor cells) in the inner ear. Or it may be from a damaged hearing nerve. Nerve deafness can be caused by:

  • Noise
  • Injury
  • Infection
  • Certain medicines
  • Birth defects
  • Tumors
  • Problems with blood circulation

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of hearing aids for children?

Who may be a candidate for hearing aids?

How can I help my child adjust to wearing a hearing aid?

How can I help my child take care of the hearing aid?

What questions should I ask before purchasing a hearing aid for my child?

hearing test with audiologist

Hearing and Speech Treatment at Children's National Hospital

The Hearing and Speech Center at Children’s National provides expert diagnosis and care for children with hearing, speech, language and feeding disorders. Discover more about the treatment we offer.

hearing test with audiologist
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PATIENT STORY

Molly's Story

Molly Cochlear

Providers of Hearing Aids

    Departments that Offer Hearing Aids

    Hearing and Speech Center

    The Hearing and Speech Center at Children's National Hospital provides expert diagnosis and care for children with audiology and communication disorders.

    Ear, Nose and Throat (Otolaryngology)

    Our pediatric otolaryngology experts diagnose and treat a wide range of pediatric ear, nose and throat disorders.