Hearing Aids for Children

Learning that your child may benefit from hearing aids can bring up a wide range of feelings — concern, uncertainty, questions, and sometimes grief for the childhood you imagined. All of that is understandable, and none of it needs to be resolved before you take the next step.

What many parents find, once they move through the initial assessment process, is that modern hearing technology for children has advanced considerably, that support systems exist to help Australian families access it, and that children — particularly young children — are often highly adaptable.

This guide answers the questions parents most commonly ask about hearing aids for children in Australia, including what styles are available, what funding may apply, and what to expect in those first weeks and months.

Types of Hearing Aids Suitable for Children

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids

Behind-the-ear hearing aids are the most commonly recommended style for children, particularly younger children. The main component of the device sits behind the ear and connects to a custom earmould that fits inside the ear canal.

There are several reasons BTE devices are preferred for children:

• They are robust and easier to handle and service than smaller styles
• The earmould can be remade as the child grows, without replacing the entire device
• They are compatible with assistive listening technology, including FM systems used in classrooms
• They come in a range of colours, including bright and fun options that many children enjoy choosing

For very young children and babies, BTE devices are essentially the only appropriate style.

Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids

Receiver-in-canal devices are a smaller style of BTE hearing aid where the speaker sits inside the ear canal rather than within the main body. They are sometimes appropriate for older children and teenagers, particularly those with mild to moderate hearing loss, and may be preferred by older children for cosmetic reasons.

Bone Conduction Devices

For children with certain types of hearing loss — particularly those affecting the outer or middle ear rather than the inner ear — bone conduction devices may be considered. These devices transmit sound through the skull bone directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear altogether.

Bone conduction devices range from a headband worn over the head (appropriate from infancy) to surgically implanted options for older children who meet specific criteria. An audiologist and ENT specialist will advise on whether this type of device may be relevant.

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are TGA-registered Class III surgically fitted medical devices recommended for children with severe to profound hearing loss where conventional hearing aids may provide limited benefit. Assessment for cochlear implant candidacy is conducted through specialist cochlear implant centres and involves a comprehensive team of professionals including surgeons and audiologists. CQ Audiology can provide initial assessment and referral pathways for families who may be exploring this option.

Government-Funded Hearing Services for Children in Australia

In Australia, children’s hearing services are primarily delivered through Hearing Australia, which has a statutory obligation under the Australian Hearing Services Act 1991 to provide hearing services to children. This is a separate pathway from the adult Hearing Services Program (Voucher Program).

Through this statutory program, eligible children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents and who have a diagnosed hearing loss may be able to access funded hearing assessments and hearing devices through Hearing Australia’s paediatric services.

Eligibility conditions apply to all government hearing programs. The specific conditions, inclusions, and any contribution amounts are subject to change and vary by individual circumstances. Families should contact Hearing Australia directly for the most current eligibility information, or speak with their audiologist for guidance on the referral process.

It is worth noting that private audiologists, including CQ Audiology, can conduct paediatric hearing assessments and provide referral reports to support your child’s access to Hearing Australia’s services. If you have questions about how the referral process works for your family’s situation, we are happy to walk you through it.

Common Questions from Parents

Will other children notice or make fun of the hearing aids?

This is one of the most common concerns parents raise, and it is worth addressing honestly.

Children do notice differences, and some children do comment on hearing aids. However, the evidence and the experience of many families suggest that the impact is often less severe than parents anticipate — particularly for younger children, who tend to be more accepting than adults expect.

Practical approaches that many families find helpful include:

• Choosing bright, fun colours for earmoulds or device bodies, which reframes the device as a feature rather than something to hide
• Being matter-of-fact about the hearing aids when other children ask, rather than treating them as something to be embarrassed about
• Connecting with other families whose children wear hearing aids, through groups such as Hearing Australia’s parent networks
• Working with the school to foster an inclusive environment and, where age-appropriate, providing simple information to classmates

Family attitudes and approach to hearing aids are widely recognised in the audiology literature as influencing how children adapt to and accept their devices. Children whose parents are positive and matter-of-fact about hearing aid use tend to develop more positive self-perceptions around their hearing technology.

Will my child actually wear them consistently?

Consistent wear is important, and it is also one of the more challenging aspects of early fitting — particularly for toddlers and young children who may not understand why the devices are needed.

Some strategies that audiologists and families have found useful:

• Start with short periods of wear and build up gradually in the first days and weeks
• Make putting the hearing aids in part of the morning routine, so it becomes as automatic as putting on shoes
• Observe what your child responds to with and without the devices — the difference in their engagement with the world can be motivating for the whole family
• Discuss any discomfort or fit issues with your audiologist promptly; poorly fitting devices are less likely to be worn

It is also worth knowing that consistent wear from an early age tends to become easier, not harder. Children who have worn hearing aids since infancy often come to accept them as a natural part of their daily experience, though individual adaptation varies.

Are they durable enough for an active child?

Many modern paediatric hearing aids are designed with children’s lives in mind and built to withstand the level of handling and incidental contact involved in everyday childhood — running, playground play, and the general rough-and-tumble of being young.

Many paediatric devices carry an IP (Ingress Protection) rating for resistance to moisture and dust, and some include impact-resistant features. Your audiologist can advise on the specific durability features of the devices they recommend. However, hearing aids are still precision instruments and benefit from:

• A protective case for storage during activities like swimming (most hearing aids are not waterproof for submersion)
• A hearing aid clip or safety line for young children, which attaches the device to clothing if it falls out
• Regular cleaning using the tools provided by your audiologist

Insurance options for hearing aids are worth exploring, particularly for younger children. Your audiologist can advise on available options.

Why Consistent Fitting Matters for Speech Development

This is perhaps the most important section of this article for parents of young children.

The early years of life represent a critical period for language and speech acquisition. Children learn language by being immersed in it — by hearing the sounds around them, making connections between sounds and meaning, and practising communication with the people in their world.

When hearing is reduced and hearing aids are not worn consistently, that acoustic input is reduced during the hours the devices are not in use. Research into hearing aid use in young children has found associations between consistent wear and language development outcomes, though the relationship is influenced by a range of factors including degree of hearing loss, aided audibility, and family engagement. Individual outcomes vary.

Consistent wear during waking hours — particularly during activities involving conversation, story time, and social play — is one of the most impactful things a family can do to support their child’s development. Your audiologist can discuss realistic expectations based on your child’s specific hearing profile.

This is not a statement to induce guilt if consistency is hard to achieve. Some days will be easier than others. The aim is to normalise wear as early and as thoroughly as possible, and to work through any barriers — comfort, acceptance, behaviour — with your audiologist.

What to Expect in the First Weeks of Fitting

The first fitting is not the end of the process — it is the beginning of it.

After a hearing aid is fitted, there is typically a period of adjustment during which:

• Your audiologist will schedule follow-up appointments to check fit, comfort, and function
• The programming of the device may be fine-tuned based on your child’s responses and your observations at home
• You will learn how to insert, remove, and care for the devices, and how to change batteries or manage charging
• Your child begins to adjust to the new level of sound input

It is normal for a child to be unsettled in the first days or weeks as their brain begins processing a richer acoustic environment. This settles with time. Your audiologist will support you through this period and is available to answer questions between appointments.

Accessing Paediatric Hearing Services in Central Queensland

CQ Audiology provides paediatric hearing assessments and hearing aid services across Rockhampton, Gladstone, Yeppoon, and Emerald. We work with children of all ages and can assist with referrals to Hearing Australia, ENT specialists, and Queensland school support services.

If your child has recently been assessed, or if you are in the early stages of exploring what options are available, we welcome you to contact us. There is no obligation, and we are happy to answer questions by phone or in person before you commit to any particular path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: At what age can a child be fitted with hearing aids? Hearing aids can be fitted in the first weeks or months of life once a hearing loss is confirmed through diagnostic assessment following newborn screening. The timeline from initial screening to confirmed diagnosis and fitting varies, and your audiologist can advise on what to expect at each stage. Early fitting is widely recommended to support speech and language development during the critical early years, based on established clinical guidelines. The style and type of device will be chosen based on the infant’s age, the degree and type of hearing loss, and ear anatomy.

Q: Do children need hearing aids in both ears? Whether one or two hearing aids are recommended depends on the individual hearing profile. Many children with hearing loss in both ears are fitted bilaterally (one hearing aid in each ear), as this supports spatial hearing and understanding speech in noise. Your audiologist will advise based on your child’s specific audiogram.

Q: What happens when my child’s ears grow? Will the hearing aids still fit? For behind-the-ear devices, the main component behind the ear remains in use, but the custom earmould (which sits inside the ear canal) will need to be remade periodically as the ear grows. This is a routine part of paediatric audiology care and is considerably less expensive than replacing the entire device.

Q: My child’s hearing loss was caused by glue ear. Do they still need hearing aids? Glue ear-related hearing loss is often temporary and may resolve with medical treatment or on its own. Hearing aids are not typically the first line of management for glue ear. However, if the condition is persistent and affecting development, temporary hearing devices may be considered while medical management is explored. Your audiologist and GP will advise based on your child’s situation.

Have questions about your hearing test results? Our team is here to explain things clearly and help you understand your options.