Pediatric Hearing Aid Fittings

[Jeffrey Sirianni]

{jillcccslp at aol.com (JillCCCSLP)wrote:}

>What has been your experience with fitting in-the-ear hearing aids in
>children? What is the lower age limit for a successful ITE fitting? How
>would you argue for an ITE vs. BTE fitting with a conservative insurance
>carrier?

I think there is any disadvantages to fitting an ITE in child.  If this is a 
very young child (under 12 years old), the shell fitting will become too 
small very quickly as they age.  Are the parents and/or the insurance company 
willing to pay for re-fittings of the shell every year?  In addtion, children 
tend to be rough on hearing aids and any ITE I can think of cannot handle 
that type of use without being in repair every month.

My advice, stick to a mini-BTE, if size is a concern....

-- 
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* Jeff Sirianni, M.A., CCC-A           *
* Sound Advice / R.G. Delaney, M.D.    *
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* audioman at hctc.net                     *
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