Hearing aid mould appointments

As we attended another mould appointment today, I thought about how far we've come. When Isaac was diagnosed as a baby, we had mould appointments every two weeks. Now, they’re not so regular but very much calmer.

When Isaac was about 18 months old, he developed a sudden fear of having mould impressions done. After all, it must be a very strange sensation! Some weeks we held him tight while they were done, while others we sang and performed or kept his hands busy so he didn't touch them while they were setting. Our audiologist used to use the excess putty for Isaac to play with whilst he waited for them to set. Then came the fun of choosing pictures and colours for his hearing aids: we’ve had a wide variety from Spurs, Postman Pat and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Now he is six, he confidently attends appointments, knows the routine and is helpful along the way! We’re starting to teach him how to care for his hearing aids. He’s very conscious about getting them wet and knows when to remove them depending on the level of water involved. He takes charge at school and brings his radio aid to the PE teacher, who is different from his normal class teacher. He helps to puffer the tubes to dry them out and knows how important it is to be extra careful with the battery compartment.

In the last year, Isaac has suddenly been able to identify when an aid isn't working or something isn't right and been able to vocalise that, a big step for him with his language delay. He has also asked that he keeps his aids on to fall asleep and that we take them out once he is asleep. This has reduced bedtime anxiety a lot, but we still have a fair way to go.

Next on the list is learning to insert his hearing independently, which may prove tricky as he has very narrow bendy ear canals! It’s taken a lot of practice and a certain knack for me to get them in quickly, and most of the time he still gives them a wiggle for maximum comfort. Together we continue to learn new techniques and tips along to the way.

If you’re at the start of your hearing aid journey or reaching the toddler resistance stage, please be reassured it does get easier!