Listening devices

Bluetooth

Small antennas are built into modern hearing devices which send and receive data across radio waves, allowing information to be communicated between devices using Bluetooth. This allows users to stream audio and music directly to their hearing device.

If your child has Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids or cochlear implants, they may prefer to stream audio wirelessly to their hearing device without the need for additional technology. If your child's hearing devices do not have Bluetooth, they might still be able to wirelessly connect to multimedia devices using a streamer or radio aid.

Headphones

There are no headphones that are exclusively designed for deaf children and young people. However, mainstream headphones can be used, regardless of your child’s level of hearing loss. Taking your child to electronics stores can help them find a suitable pair of headphones. When trying them on, consider the following features:

• Comfort – Make sure that the ear cups fit comfortably around their hearing devices (such as hearing aids or cochlear implants) and have adequate padding to sit comfortably over their ears. Some headphones have rotating ear cups which make it easier to adjust the headset to the exact position of the hearing device(s).
• Volume – Some headphones have controls that can adjust the volume for each ear separately, which is ideal if your child has a unilateral or mixed hearing loss. Always check that the volume is set to a comfortable and safe level.
• Size – Check if the size of the headphones can be adjusted. If they're too big, they can slip down and pull off your child’s hearing devices with it.
• Bone conduction – Bone conduction headphones send sound directly into the inner ear using vibrations. These may be useful if your child has a conductive hearing loss and sound can’t enter their ear canal. Children with temporary hearing loss due to glue ear can benefit from these too.

Streamers

Streamers are useful for listening to electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and televisions. Streamers are connected or paired to compatible multimedia devices and wirelessly transmit the audio directly to your child’s hearing device. Most hearing device manufacturers produce their own streamers which only work with their own brand of hearing devices.

Using a streamer can help your child receive better quality sound than if they were using the in-built speaker of the multimedia device they are listening to. Streamers are extremely versatile and can help your child listen to audio from a range of devices, such as making phone calls or video calls with family and friends and enjoying music or watching movies.

Many streamers have an integrated microphone, which allows them to be used in a similar way to a radio aid. Importantly, radio aids are designed almost exclusively to help deaf children communicate, particularly in noisy environments such as schools. When deciding between using a streamer as a wireless microphone or a radio aid, it’s important to consider how and where it will be used.

Earhooks and neckloops

Earhooks and neckloops work by sending sound from your child’s multimedia device to the integrated telecoil in their hearing aid or implant. This means your child will hear sounds playing directly through their hearing device. If required, the telecoil programme can be activated by your child’s audiologist.

Earhooks are worn on the ear between your child’s hearing device and head. Neckloops work in the same way but are worn around the neck. Although most neckloops incorporate a break-away safety feature, they are not recommended for use by children under 3 years old.