Hearing Australia cares for around 14,000 children up to the age of 12 who use a hearing aid or cochlear implant and in 2022, fitted just over 2,100 children from birth to 12 years of age with their first hearing aids.1
Expert hearing care
Our paediatric audiologists are specially trained on the care and management of hearing loss in children. If we discover a hearing problem, we’ll work with you to help your child get the support they need to get on with being a kid! And if hearing aids are recommended, we have a range of devices suitable for kids.
Our Paediatric Program
Hearing Australia is funded by the Australian Government Hearing Services Program to provide hearing services and devices to Australian citizens or permanent residents under 26 years of age who have a permanent or long-term hearing loss.
Our paediatric program includes:
- Full hearing assessments
- Individual assessments of the child’s and family’s needs
- Fitting hearing aids that use the latest technology
- Fitting Remote Microphone Systems
- Helping families to use devices and strategies to enhance communication
- Regular checks of hearing aid fit and benefit
- Replacement and updates to devices
- Visits to early intervention programs and educational facilities
- Support for teachers
- Information sessions for families, educators and community groups
- Hearing health care training for health workers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Referral to other agencies
- Repairs and batteries for hearing aids and Remote Microphone Systems
- Batteries, replacement parts, repairs, replacement and upgrade sound processors for cochlear implants
- Postal service for batteries and technical repairs
Each year some 2,600 young Australians receive their first hearing aids before they are 18 years old, and just over two thirds of these are fitted before they turn 9. About 500 children are fitted before their first birthday1.
Your program pathway with us
First Appointment
During your first appointment, lasting about 1-1.5 hours, your audiologist will explain the results of your child's hearing assessment and discuss the impacts of hearing impairment on your child. Together, you'll create an action plan that considers the needs of the whole family. If hearing aids are recommended, the audiologist will show you options and may take an ear mould impression using soft putty.
Fitting Appointment
About two weeks after the ear mould impression, you'll have a fitting appointment lasting approximately an hour. Your audiologist will adjust the hearing aids to suit your child and teach both of you how and when to use them.
Follow-Up Appointment
Two weeks after the fitting appointment, you'll return for a follow-up to discuss progress and address any issues. Your audiologist can make adjustments to the hearing aids and test your child's hearing with them.
Ongoing Care
The next steps depend on your child's needs. Babies and toddlers may require multiple appointments to check their hearing abilities, fine-tune the hearing aids, address issues, aid in adjustment, and create new ear moulds.
Our Hearing Services Programs for Children and Young Adults
Children with diagnosed hearing loss or a likelihood of needing hearing aids can receive ongoing services from Hearing Australia through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
Services for First Nations Children
Our specialised staff are here to help parents and children with their hearing journey from their first appointment, fitting, follow up and ongoing care, providing culturally safe services for First Nations children aged 0-18 years.
