Your child's Baha® fitting
This is an important time in your child’s hearing journey. Prepare with questions to ask their hearing health professional.
What you'll find on this page
- Questions to ask your child's hearing health professional.
- Information about your child’s first fitting and programming session.
- Tips for the first few months after the sound processor is turned on.
As your child's fitting (programming) day approaches, you'll feel nervous and excited.
To help you prepare, we've compiled a list of questions to ask your child's hearing health professional.
These questions will help you know what to expect at the first programming appointment and get everyone ready for life with a new hearing device.
Questions for parents to ask about fitting day and beyond
- What happens during the appointment?
- What does programming the sound processor feel like?
- Will my child hear right away?
- How will it sound?
- How long will it take my child to adjust to the new sound?
- How do I put on my child's device and can they put it on themselves?
- How does it work?
- What tips do you have for using the new device?
- How often will I need to charge or change the batteries?
- How do I store and care for the device?
- What resources do you recommend for rehabilitation?
- What happens if my child's hearing changes over time?
- Is there a network of families of bone conduction implant recipients that I can connect with?
What usually happens on fitting day?
Your child's hearing health professional will fit and program your child’s sound processor a few weeks after surgery. It’s usually a simple and quick process.
The sound processor is connected to the programming software and placed on your child's head. A feedback test is performed – your child will hear sounds through the sound processor for the first time.
The sound processor will be programmed to meet their individual needs – specific listening programmes can be set for different hearing situations, such as quiet or noisy environments.
Your child's new hearing is live and ready to go.
"The moment we put the Baha 5 [Sound Processor] on him (Jackson)... he smiled and looked at me as I softly spoke and said his name. My heart melted and that moment validated any questions we had about whether or not we were doing the right thing."
- Amanda, mother of Jackson, Cochlear™ bone conduction implant recipient
What to expect after your child's sound processor is turned on
When your child’s sound processor is turned on, all the new sounds can seem a little overwhelming for them at first – it will take them some time to adjust and get used to the new sounds.
Initially their hearing may feel different. However, within a few weeks of taking in all sorts of different sounds, the brain will adapt and their hearing will start to feel more natural.
Follow the guidelines for care and maintenance for your device.
We offer many "how to" videos, and our customer service team can answer your questions.
Patience and persistence will pay off
It takes time and effort to get used to hearing with a bone conduction device – it doesn’t necessarily happen instantly.
Make sure your child stays committed to using the device to get used to it, and that they listen to a variety of sounds – music, noises in the environment and conversations around you.
Your child can start using the sound processor at home doing everyday things, and in their own time move on to more challenging environments like outdoors or public places.
More information
Disclaimer
Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.
For a full list of Cochlear’s trademarks, please visit our Terms of Use page.
Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.