CHILDREN
 As a parent, you want the best for your child. Jones Hearing provides
that for you. Our greatest reward is seeing the look on your child’s
and your faces when he or she begins to hear clearly, perhaps for
the first time.
If you suspect your child has a hearing impairment, consult your
physician, audiologist or hearing professional without delay. Any
disruption in hearing at a young age can delay learning essential
skills in speech and language development.
>> Services for Children at Jones Hearing
>> Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTIONS? We Are Here To Help
1. Please call 1-800-580-8484 to speak with a Jones Hearing Associate.
We offer FREE hearing check-ups and you are under no obligation to buy.
2. Click Here to schedule a FREE hearing check-up.
3. Click Here to order FREE Guides - Consumer's Guide to Hearing Aids
and/or A Bridge to Better Hearing.
Services for Children at Jones Hearing
 Proficient in the latest diagnostic and fitting techniques
in audiology, Jones Hearing professionals stay well-informed
on the latest developments in hearing assistance. For pediatric
patients (age two months and older) we provide the following
services:
- Follow-up on newborn hearing screening failures
- Complete
audiological evaluations including:
- Pure tone and speech
audiometry
- Emmittance testing
- Otoacoustic emissions
- Video otoscopy
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing
when indicated
- Evaluation, selection and fitting of hearing
aids
We specialize in pediatric audiology at our Irving location.
We train
you and/or your child in the use of whatever hearing device is
recommended. We commit ourselves to guide you in the use and maintenance
of the new equipment and to retest and make revisions as your child
grows.
Jones Hearing is a contracted provider with the Texas Department
of State Health Services and we can provide services (including hearing
aids) for children with Medicaid. Additionally, we are contracted
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan) providers and are in-network
providers for most major insurance plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Take your child to his/her pediatrician or family
doctor for a complete examination.
- Take your child for an otologic
examination by a doctor who specializes in problems of the ear,
nose and throat.
- Take your child for an audiological evaluation
by a licensed audiologist at a hearing center such as Jones Hearing.
- Try
not to worry. We now have many technological and medical solutions
to treat hearing loss. More than ever, children with
hearing loss are able to live full and successful lives.
Early intervention is the key.
- NO BABY IS EVER TOO YOUNG TO HAVE A HEARING TEST.
- The
earlier we discover a hearing problem, the earlier we can help!
- Infants
as young as four weeks old can be fitted with hearing aids and/or
assistive devices.
- Children's hearing aids are more technologically
advanced than ever before. Manufacturers are offering hearing aids
for children with many practical and suitable features.
- An infant's
needs should be evaluated by an audiologist or a doctor, in
tandem with the caregivers. Selection should be based on the ability
of the parents to easily manipulate and monitor the hearing aid
or assistive device.
- The hearing aid selected will greatly depend
on the type and extent of the child's hearing loss, although behind-the-ear
(BTE) devices are often recommended for children because
they are flexible, durable and robust. Additionally, they are the
most practical for children because they are less reliant on the
size of the outer ear. Custom ear molds for behind-the-ear (BTE)
aids are soft and easy to clean and, although they may need to
be replaced as children grow, they are easier
and less expensive to replace than
in-the-ear (ITE) or in-the-canal (ITC)
hearing aids.
- Hearing aids for children should be adjustable as
the child develops. Digital hearing
aids are a good choice as they can be easily adjusted for frequency
response, amount of amplification, and maximum limits of amplification.
- Many
companies now offer devices with greater functionality for adults,
children and even infants. Here are just a few innovative features
and programs which have been specifically designed for children:
- Tamper-resistant
battery cases
- Tamper-proof volume control buttons
- Hearing aids in fun colors or those that match skin tones
- Online programs
that educate parents and children on hearing loss
- T-switch or telecoil, used to improve telephone communication.
It can be used with other assistive devices to enhance television
and stereo enjoyment.
- An FM system that allows a child to hear the teacher's voice
above disruptive classroom noise. A teacher wears a small microphone
and transmitter that sends sound directly to the child's hearing
aid and receiver using a wireless FM transmission.
- From birth to 3 or 4 months,
- the child
is startled by loud sounds – blinks or
stops current activity
- the child stops moving
or crying when they hear an unfamiliar noise
- the child
is soothed by the sound of a familiar voice
- At 3 months,
- the child begins to make gurgling or
cooing or long vowel sounds
- the child responds to
noise making toys
- the child responds favorably to the
mother’s
voice
- the child is disturbed by loud sounds when asleep
- At 4-5
months,
- the child turns towards a new sound
- At 6-7 months,
- the child turns correctly to locate
a sound coming from either side, but is still confused by sounds
coming from above or below
- At 7-9 months,
- the child responds to/recognizes their
own name
- the child responds to everyday household sounds
- At 9 months,
- the child makes loud, shrieking sounds
and sustained vowels sounds (eeee, ah, etc)
- At 9-12 months,
- the child uses his/her own voice
to get attention
- the child begins babbling sounds, even
when alone
- At 12 months,
- the child begins to imitate simple words
- At 15 months,
- the child has a vocabulary of 10 or more
words – spoken
in the middle of gibberish
- the child points to a
familiar person or object when asked
- the child begins
to use 2-3 words sentences
- At 21-24 months
- the child localizes directly to
sounds, at all angles
- the child uses sound to express
displeasure – squawks,
etc.
- The child consistently does not hit the development
sign posts listed above. (Please remember that these are never
exact; each child develops at his or her own pace.)
- People constantly
have to raise their voices to get the child's attention.
- The child
responds inappropriately to questions.
- The child has frequent
earaches or fluid in the ears, indicating recurrent ear infections.
- The
child often rubs or pulls at his ears or complains of his ears
hurting.
- You see the child turning one side of his face towards
a speaker, showing he has a preference to that side when he wishes
to hear.
- The child turns up the volume excessively when watching
TV or listening to music.
- The child looks at your face and stares intently when he is listening.
He shows signs of having to concentrate to hear.
- The child reacts
mostly to vibrating sounds or sounds that can be “felt”.
- After
language skills have been initiated, the child frequently says "huh" or "what" when
somebody is speaking.
- The child confuses sounds that are alike.
- The child has problems
recalling a list of instructions.
- The child talks in either a
very soft or loud voice.
- The child seems to ignore you; not always
looking when called.
- The child's speech is poorer than you would
expect of a child of his or her age.
- The child does not use verbal
language at an appropriate age.
- The child frequently asks for things
to be repeated.
- Malformations of the ear, nose or throat
- Birth
complications: low birth weight, infections such
as rubella measles, Rh incompatibility, etc.
- Family history of
hearing loss.
- Head trauma
- Neonatal infections
- Postnatal breathing stoppages associated
with low Apgar or asphyxia
- Childhood infectious diseases associated
with Ototoxic medications & hearing
loss, such as measles or mumps
- Severe respiratory distress and/or
prolonged mechanical ventilation (5 days or longer)
- Otis media
- the most common
cause of hearing loss in young children
- Hearing is critical for the development of speech, language,
and communication skills. Early hearing loss seriously affects
a child’s
development in these areas. Even temporary
loss from short term infections may be detrimental.
- Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly
decrease the chances of serious developmental setbacks.
- Research
shows that children who receive intervention before six months of
age develop language skills (signed or spoken) on a par with
their fully-hearing peers.
- Some private health plans may cover the cost. Check
with your insurance provider to find out. Jones Hearing will assist
you with any insurance forms or cutting any red tape.
- Talk with Jones Hearing to create a payment plan that will work
for you.
- If your child qualifies
for Medicaid, they may be served by the PACT Program (Program for
Amplification for Children of Texas) to receive free hearing aids.
Find out their qualification criteria. (Click
Here for more information)
- IDEA
(Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT) covers certain costs
associated with audiology services. Research what assistance is
available. Click here for more information)
- CHIP (Children’s Health
Insurance Program) provides assistance for many children. Contact
them to see what is available in your state. (Click
here for more information)
- Early intervention
services may be provided either through your local school system
or through your local health department, depending on the state
in which you live. Check with your early intervention service coordinator
or your school system to determine whether your child qualifies
for early intervention and if so, what services and items are covered.
- Avoid Damage to Hearing Aids
- Hair dryers
and hair spray can damage hearing aids, as can chemicals contained
in perfumes.
- Moisture can damage hearing aids. Remove
hearing aids before swimming, bathing, walking in the rain,
etc. High humidity and heavy perspiration may also cause problems.
- Store
hearing aids with a desiccant or in a dehumidifier overnight
to keep them dry, especially when it is hot or humid. Always
store them in a safe, dry place at room temperature when not
in use.
- Do not leave hearing aids in the sun or any hot
area. High temperatures can affect the hearing aid’s
inner circuitry.
- Do not leave hearing aids where a
pet can access them. If your pet chews on the hearing
aids it could do damage to your pet as well as the hearing
aids.
- Warn
your child not to take the hearing aids apart themselves, either
out of curiosity to see what is inside or in an attempt to
fix them. Hearing aids should only be disassembled by a qualified
service provider.
- Maintenance Cautions
- HEARING AID
BATTERIES: Keep batteries out of reach of both children
and pets. They are toxic. Change batteries out of sight
of your young child, so they will not know where you keep
them. Discard used batteries carefully. Hearing aids with
tamper-resistant battery access are available to insure
batteries remain
within the hearing aids. In case of ingestion, contact
your physician or veterinarian immediately, or contact
your local poison control center.
Remember, you know your child best. Trust your instincts. If something
feels wrong or different, take action. Hearing loss, in varying degrees,
affects two in every 100 children under the age of 18. Fortunately,
there are very few hearing losses that cannot be helped with modern
technology. The most effective treatment is achieved through early
intervention. Early diagnosis, early fitting of hearing aids, and
an early start in special education programs can help maximize a
child's hearing. This will give your child the best chance for successful
speech and language development.
The professionals at Jones Hearing want the best for your family.
We commit ourselves to providing high quality assessment, products, superior
care and maintenance services to ensure the best
possible hearing for your child. |
