Re: New Member ITE questions

[Guest guest]

Hi Tricia-

My daughter uses (well, sometimes uses) ITE's and

she's just a little over 2 years old. We got them

when she was about 1 (she has a mild loss). I will

never understand or figure out why ITE's aren't

commonly used by children but in any event, we love

them and will always use them. I do know that ITE's

aren't recommended for greater than moderate hearing

loss.

We bought my daugther's ITE's from General Hearing

(www.generalhearing.com) and they were great to work

with. There is a whole section on their website

called Kustom For Kids which explains the ITE's.

Since your son is almost seven I can't imagine that

you would have to replace the hearing aid very

frequently. I think at that age his ear canal has

stopped growing tremendously.

I have nothing but positives to say about the ITE's

and I know there are a couple other family's in this

group that use them as well.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Alison

--- Tricia tgwca@...> wrote:

> Hi everyone,

> We are new members. We have a son who is almost

> seven, blind, and

> recently experienced the onset of mild hearing loss

> which will be

> slowly progressive. He is a very bright, happy guy

> who attends our

> local school and covers the same material as his

> peers, only in

> braille.

>

> The hearing loss and what to do about it is all new

> to us. When we do

> get him hearing aids, we will be looking at " in the

> ear " hearing aids.

> My understanding is that in the ear aids are not

> commonly done for

> children? The reason we will be looking at those is

> because behind the

> ear aids place the microphone on the outside of the

> pinna, and that

> would affect our son's ability to localize sound and

> his spatial

> hearing, which are very important as he is blind. In

> the ear aids would

> help tremendously with this problem.

>

> So, I am wondering if there are other parents whose

> children wear in

> the ear aids in this group, and if you can share

> information with me? I

> am wondering about the brand or specific aids your

> children wear, and

> also maintenance involved, i.e. my understanding is

> that the problem

> with ITE aids for children is that children outgrow

> them quickly, does

> this mean that the whole aids need to be replaced,

> and if so how

> fequently? Also, how are they for sports? Our son is

> very much into

> sports.

>

> Regarding funding, we are up in Canada and from the

> research I have

> done it seems that we will be partially funded

> through our provincial

> health system and partially funded through my

> husband's benefits but

> that we will be paying a considerable chunk out of

> pocket.

>

> Thanks very much,

> Tricia

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison,

Thank you SO much for replying, it really means a lot at this early

stage as it has been somewhat of an emotional time. We know the

blind thing inside and out, but this is all new. I've checked out the

website for the ones you've described, and they look super! I know

your daughter is 2, but how do you find them for staying in her ears?

Do you use any accessories to keep them in or anything like that?

From the website it looks like they might be OK for sports ... I was

also thinking we should look at getting one of those Dry and Store

systems.

Thanks again,

Tricia

>

> > Hi everyone,

> > We are new members. We have a son who is almost

> > seven, blind, and

> > recently experienced the onset of mild hearing loss

> > which will be

> > slowly progressive. He is a very bright, happy guy

> > who attends our

> > local school and covers the same material as his

> > peers, only in

> > braille.

> >

> > The hearing loss and what to do about it is all new

> > to us. When we do

> > get him hearing aids, we will be looking at " in the

> > ear " hearing aids.

> > My understanding is that in the ear aids are not

> > commonly done for

> > children? The reason we will be looking at those is

> > because behind the

> > ear aids place the microphone on the outside of the

> > pinna, and that

> > would affect our son's ability to localize sound and

> > his spatial

> > hearing, which are very important as he is blind. In

> > the ear aids would

> > help tremendously with this problem.

> >

> > So, I am wondering if there are other parents whose

> > children wear in

> > the ear aids in this group, and if you can share

> > information with me? I

> > am wondering about the brand or specific aids your

> > children wear, and

> > also maintenance involved, i.e. my understanding is

> > that the problem

> > with ITE aids for children is that children outgrow

> > them quickly, does

> > this mean that the whole aids need to be replaced,

> > and if so how

> > fequently? Also, how are they for sports? Our son is

> > very much into

> > sports.

> >

> > Regarding funding, we are up in Canada and from the

> > research I have

> > done it seems that we will be partially funded

> > through our provincial

> > health system and partially funded through my

> > husband's benefits but

> > that we will be paying a considerable chunk out of

> > pocket.

> >

> > Thanks very much,

> > Tricia

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

HI Tricia - just wanted to say welcome! There are several families on

the list who have kids with ITEs - I'm sure they'll respond.

I have two boys - 14 and 11 - who are deaf. Both have cochlear implants

in their right ear and wear a hearing aid in the left. When they wore

hearing aids, ITEs weren't for them because of the severity of their losses.

Take care!

Barbara

Tricia wrote:

> Hi everyone,

> We are new members. We have a son who is almost seven, blind, and

> recently experienced the onset of mild hearing loss which will be

> slowly progressive. He is a very bright, happy guy who attends our

> local school and covers the same material as his peers, only in

> braille.

>

> The hearing loss and what to do about it is all new to us. When we do

> get him hearing aids, we will be looking at " in the ear " hearing aids.

> My understanding is that in the ear aids are not commonly done for

> children? The reason we will be looking at those is because behind the

> ear aids place the microphone on the outside of the pinna, and that

> would affect our son's ability to localize sound and his spatial

> hearing, which are very important as he is blind. In the ear aids would

> help tremendously with this problem.

>

> So, I am wondering if there are other parents whose children wear in

> the ear aids in this group, and if you can share information with me? I

> am wondering about the brand or specific aids your children wear, and

> also maintenance involved, i.e. my understanding is that the problem

> with ITE aids for children is that children outgrow them quickly, does

> this mean that the whole aids need to be replaced, and if so how

> fequently? Also, how are they for sports? Our son is very much into

> sports.

>

> Regarding funding, we are up in Canada and from the research I have

> done it seems that we will be partially funded through our provincial

> health system and partially funded through my husband's benefits but

> that we will be paying a considerable chunk out of pocket.

>

> Thanks very much,

> Tricia

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> All messages posted to this list are private and confidential. Each post is

the intellectual property of the author and therefore subject to copyright

restrictions.

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome too Tricia! My name is and I have a 14 year old who was

diagnosed at age 3 3/4 with mod-severe loss bilaterally. She has worn behind

the ear aids up until now, and we are trialing some new aids that are a new

category - called open fitting or over the ear or receiver in canal. The

speaker of the hearing aid is in the canal but there is not an earmold, and the

rest of the aid is tiny and sits on top of her pinna rather than behind it.

With her level of loss, the in the ear aid would have been pretty big and filled

up her concha so she liked the new type better. Not sure if the placement of the

microphones would equal being in the canal though. Several parents on this list

use ITEs for their children, so hopefully they'll chime in. Every child is

different and some have an increased need for one feature or another. Glad you

found us.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/2006 10:44:19 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jbkdarby@... writes:

Keep in mind that some audiologists only like to work with their

preferred brands and many pedi audis have no clue about ITEs—so you

need to check' em out.

Another concern that audiologists may have with ITEs is that many D/HOH

benefit from using an FM system. Our son wears BTEs and we never even looked

into

ITEs because he needs the FM system to be able to function in the mainstream

setting.

ITE Fm systems have been in development for a while, but I've no clue if

they're available yet. Also, from what I've read here and elsewhere, the ITE

style may be limited to the more moderate level losses.

To be clear -- I'm not down on the ITE, I just want to point out that there

are many elements to consider when choosing which style aid to get.

I wish you luck!

Jill

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/2006 12:19:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jbkdarby@... writes:

That said, I have heard from parents with older kids on this

list that the BTE clip on wireless boots are preferred.

,

I'm thrilled to read that FMs are available with ITEs. Ian struggles in

class when his FM is out for repairs/replacement (which was often during this

past year -- unusual for us!) Honestly, he would be lost without that support.

He uses the little boots that clip to his aids and he has never complained

about using them. Once he got the personal Fm system (elementary school), he

was delighted -- the sound field one had been such a disaster for him!

I am of course a touch biased on the topic of FMs since Ian has had such

success with his system. I think every child should try it, because he didn't

realize just how helpful it was until he had it. He thought he was doing okay,

but once he had it, he knew it was a must-have for him.

Best -- Jill

[Guest guest]

My understanding is that in the ear aids are not commonly done for

children? "

Tricia,

Glad you found us! My daughter obtained her first pair of ITEs at

6mos., I guess she was a pioneer.

We discovered her high tech soft material ITEs much easier to use

and found that the ITES stayed in her ears more securely than her

BTEs. I would imagine that for an active 10 year this would be the

case too.

There are many more children in your son's age range wearing ITEs

now a days. There are many great brands out there, we like

http://www.generalhearing.com/explore.cfm , an innovative company

that patented the first durable and soft material ITE.

Keep in mind that some audiologists only like to work with their

preferred brands and many pedi audis have no clue about ITEs—so you

need to check' em out.

Best,

[Guest guest]

My understanding is that in the ear aids are not commonly done for

children? "

Tricia,

Glad you found us! My daughter obtained her first pair of ITEs at

6mos., I guess she was a pioneer.

We discovered her high tech soft material ITEs much easier to use

and found that the ITES stayed in her ears more securely than her

BTEs. I would imagine that for an active 10 year this would be the

case too.

There are many more children in your son's age range wearing ITEs

now a days. There are many great brands out there, we like

http://www.generalhearing.com/explore.cfm , an innovative company

that patented the first durable and soft material ITE.

Keep in mind that some audiologists only like to work with their

preferred brands and many pedi audis have no clue about ITEs—so you

need to check' em out.

Best,

[Guest guest]

Many of today's ITEs can and do accommodate even severe hearing

losses. Also, ITEs are compatible with FM systems, just not wireless

systems. That said, I have heard from parents with older kids on this

list that the BTE clip on wireless boots are preferred.

Best,

[Guest guest]

Hi - both of my children (5 and 16 months) wear ITEs. I to will never

understand why they aren't more recommended.

The thing about the children outgrowing them faster and being more costly is a

myth. Yes, the do have to be remade more often BUT through General Hearing

Instruments (where we got their aids) they offer a $300 insurance policy. It

covers unlimited number of remakes in the first 2 years. The third year - a

remake costs a few hundred dollars. In reality - BTE require new molds also but

I haven't heard of a policy that covers that cost (about 60 each?) - so the

costs are pretty much equal.

We love them.

---------------------------------

Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free.

[Guest guest]

Sara Chaddock saraandchadd@...> wrote:

The thing about the children outgrowing them faster and being more costly is a

myth. Yes, the do have to be remade more often BUT through General Hearing

Instruments (where we got their aids) they offer a $300 insurance policy. It

covers unlimited number of remakes in the first 2 years. The third year - a

remake costs a few hundred dollars. In reality - BTE require new molds also but

I haven't heard of a policy that covers that cost (about 60 each?) - so the

costs are pretty much equal.

That's interesting Sara. I had never heard before what the cost is to have

the ITE's resized. Do they need to send the whole aid in to have it resized, or

does the new " size " slip over the device somehow?

Not that we could go to an ITE at this time because needs her FM

system, but it's something to keep in mind for the future if she decides that

she wants something that might show a little less. Although it's funny, I

notice the ITE's just as much as I do the BTE's. Maybe it's because I'm always

looking at people's ears.

Debbie, mom to , 7, moderate SNHL and , 4, hearing

Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were

and ask why not. G.B Shaw

---------------------------------

See the all-new, redesigned Yahoo.com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

You send the entire aid in and I'm assuming they use the same mechanism and just

place it inside a new mold. Hannah just had her first remakes done and they

used molds from her first set to give her a loaner pair of BTEs for the week tha

they were gone. I found this info surprising myself when my audi told me

considering that cost is one of the major reasons why other people are against

ITEs for children.

Oh and my doc said that they have never had to have someone pay for a remake

in that third year. At the end of the second year they send them back in for a

final remake and it usually lasts through the year. They say by that time

technology has usually changed to warrant a new set of aids shortly thereafter.

IDeb DiAnni babydewe2@...> wrote:

Sara Chaddock wrote:

The thing about the children outgrowing them faster and being more costly is a

myth. Yes, the do have to be remade more often BUT through General Hearing

Instruments (where we got their aids) they offer a $300 insurance policy. It

covers unlimited number of remakes in the first 2 years. The third year - a

remake costs a few hundred dollars. In reality - BTE require new molds also but

I haven't heard of a policy that covers that cost (about 60 each?) - so the

costs are pretty much equal.

That's interesting Sara. I had never heard before what the cost is to have the

ITE's resized. Do they need to send the whole aid in to have it resized, or does

the new " size " slip over the device somehow?

Not that we could go to an ITE at this time because needs her FM system,

but it's something to keep in mind for the future if she decides that she wants

something that might show a little less. Although it's funny, I notice the ITE's

just as much as I do the BTE's. Maybe it's because I'm always looking at

people's ears.

Debbie, mom to , 7, moderate SNHL and , 4, hearing

Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were

and ask why not. G.B Shaw

---------------------------------

See the all-new, redesigned Yahoo.com. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Interesting. I plan to ask our audi on August 17th. I've always heard,

though, that BTE's are recommended for kids because they're more rugged and

durable plus they're cheaper to replace and since little ears grow faster,

the molds have to be replaced and are cheaper. I've heard that over and

over. It will be interesting to hear our audi's response. Glad to hear

your kids' ITE's are working for them. Sydney's BTE's are, too, but it

seems ITE's would be even more comfortable if there are no big

disadvantages.

Robin in NC

>

>

>

> Hi - both of my children (5 and 16 months) wear ITEs. I to will never

> understand why they aren't more recommended.

>

> The thing about the children outgrowing them faster and being more costly

> is a myth. Yes, the do have to be remade more often BUT through General

> Hearing Instruments (where we got their aids) they offer a $300 insurance

> policy. It covers unlimited number of remakes in the first 2 years. The

> third year - a remake costs a few hundred dollars. In reality - BTE require

> new molds also but I haven't heard of a policy that covers that cost (about

> 60 each?) - so the costs are pretty much equal.

>

> We love them.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Yahoo! Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs.Try it free.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I always ask WHY? and then follow up with " WHY? "

Annoying granted. But when it comes to my daughter, I can live with

a Doctor and/or Audiologist not liking me.

The " why " approach is what I used to obtain the high tech soft

material ITEs for my then infant daughter. I found that many pedi

audis do not keep up-to-date on the latest advances in hearing

instruments. The established practice in the field of pediatric

audiology is to fit all children with BTE hearing instruments.

Keep in mind, it was only fairly recently that pedi audis even

started giving parents the option of digital aids (I totally

understand that certain types of hearing losses do better/require

analog, I am just talking " choice " here).

We are close to purchasing our daughter her first pair of InTheCanal

aids. The ITC instruments we are looking at offer natural sound

reception due to the placement of the microphone in the ear canal,

which allows the wearer to hear more easily and clearly in group

settings. I am interested to see how well they work or not.

More to follow . . .

(Mom to Kate 25 mos).

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/30/2006 2:42:10 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

jbkdarby@... writes:

If in-the-ear hearing instruments (ITEs) are used, they need to be

equipped with a telecoil for FM compatibility. With ITEs, the FM

receiver is plugged into a loop that is worn around the neck. The

loop then generates an induction field that is picked up by the

telecoil in the hearing instrument.

This brings up the question of how the t-coil setting functions in the ITE

aids. Does it work as input only, with no outside noise? Or does it take the

t-coil input and add it to the surrounding sound form the aids' regular input?

For Ian's BTE's the t-coil setting means that he hears ONLY what is coming

from the phone/stereo/t-coil input. When he is listening to his MP3 player with

the neckloop, Ian is as deaf as you can get to the rest of the world. His

solution is to turn only one aid to the t-coil and leave the other one set to

listen to the world. While this works for listening to music, it would never

work for the classroom.

When wearing the clip-on boots for his FM system, he also hears through his

aids, adding in the classrooms sounds. The teacher's voice (or whoever is

wearing the mike) is louder than the rest of the room, and this setup allows

him

to still hear incidental conversations and discussions going on around him.

This works beautifully in the classroom setting, allowing him to focus on the

teacher but still hear the surrounding/accompanying classroom. Since aids

amplify everything, it is somewhat like the other hearing kids who are able to

focus on one voice -- the speaker, but still to hear whatever else is going

on.

Ian's FM boots have the option to change settings by flipping a switch so

that he has a speaker-only setting but he rarely ever uses that one.

If the only the speaker's voice is coming only through with the ITE's t-coil

setting, then some of the benefit of the FM system is being lost.

Just my concerns and 2-cents based on the experience of Ian needing and

successfully using an FM system in the mainstream setting.

Best -- Jill

[Guest guest]

Hi

I will be excited to hear how the ITC aids work out. Have you heard

a bunch of grief about the " choking hazard " for infants/toddlers?

How did you deal with that?

Do you know if " general hearing " has done any clinical trials with

their ITE products? How long they have been fitting them to

pediatric patients?

I have attempted to get General Hearing to work with my audiologist

to see if we could fit those aids for my son. We are in Seattle and

they are out of New Orleans and no one here knows about them. They

are very reluctant to research the product and see if it would

work. One audiologist is from Sonus and other Sonus locations have

fit the ITE from General Hearing. I could not get those two to talk

either. The gal from General Hearing wanted the audiologist to call

her. The audiologist really wouldnt' bother. Very frustrating!

Then they won't even have a conversation with me about getting my

son fit for ITE or ITC aids. They say he is not a candidate because

he is not an experienced HA wearer. (He really won't wear his BTE

Aids) He is growing too fast and they are too expensive etc.

All in all a very frustrating experience. We are still working

through all that. I don't have a lot of choices for audiologists.

Besides they seem to all have the same philosophy.

>

[Guest guest]

" Have you heard > a bunch of grief about the " choking hazard "

for infants/toddlers? How did you deal with that? "

Hi There,

Yes, the " choking hazard " was raised as an issue among others

including cost, durability, and ease of use.

Choking Hazard: Since the size of the ITE is the size of an earmold

without the additional pieces (i.e., tubing, and the HA BTE unit),

we felt that it posed no more of a choking hazard than our

daughter's BTEs. In fact, we found that our infant daughter did not

yank off her ITEs as she had with her BTEs. Therefore, I feel that

in our daughter's case, the ITEs were less of a choking hazard than

her BTEs. BTW she was able to pull apart her BTEs by around 5 months

or so.

Cost and Durability: These were non-issues in our case. I very much

resented anyone telling me that it was too expensive, as I feel that

is a personal decision. Also, we found that General Hearing's ITEs

were made from a very durable soft material and that the ITEs were

more comfortable for our daughter to wear.

" How long they have been fitting them to pediatric patients? " You

should follow up with GHI for specifics. However, I believe our

daughter was the first infant fitted in the world.

FYI: There is prominent American family with a HOH child(who is now

around 5 years old). I discovered that this family was being catered

to by House Ear Institute, after making huge donations to House

Ear. The audis at House didn't flinch when fitting this 3 or 4 year

old with DIVA Sensos ITE/ITCs, so why should it be any different for

anyone else?

The one size fits all approach, just isn't the best fit for all HOH

kids. So much has changed, especially now with mild to moderate

losses being caught at birth.

Our family philosophy is that Kate's HL is not a static process, so

we continue to explore and try new approaches and devices as

necessary.

Best of luck!

[Guest guest]

My audiologist told me that one of the reasons she doesn't like to fit ITE

aids on children is that it's difficult, if not impossible, to then couple

an FM system and she feels that's critically important to have, certainly in

school, and sometimes at home as well. As I understand it, with an ITE aid,

the only way to use an FM would be using a neckloop with the hearing aid set

on " T " and that's not an ideal way, and it's also very cumbersome.

[Guest guest]

>> My audiologist told me that one of the reasons she doesn't like

to fit ITE aids on children is that it's difficult, if not

impossible, to then couple an FM system . . . "

Hey Casey Cat,

First, it's so rare to even hear that a pedi audi is offering kids

the choice of an ITE. Wow!

While our Audis at House Ear and UCLA have stated that the neck loop

FM systems are bulkier, the practice of fitting them to ITEs is not

uncommon--especially, for HOH business professionals.

If in-the-ear hearing instruments (ITEs) are used, they need to be

equipped with a telecoil for FM compatibility. With ITEs, the FM

receiver is plugged into a loop that is worn around the neck. The

loop then generates an induction field that is picked up by the

telecoil in the hearing instrument.

Since our daughter is just 2, we are taking a wait and see approach.

I understand that many of the parents with school age children swear

by the FM systems, so it is something I expect we will be purchasing

in the near future. The wireless boots that clip on to the BTEs seem

pretty user friendly. We shall see . . .

Best,

[Guest guest]

" This brings

up the question of how the t-coil setting functions in the ITE aids.

Does it work as input only, with no outside noise? Or does it take

the t-coil input and add it to the surrounding sound form the aids'

regular input? "

My understanding is that the FM system with the neckloop works the

same way with either BTEs or ITEs, so perhaps a parent whose

child/children use neckloops might be better able to address your

question. I think Barbara's sons might have used neckloops in the

past or perhaps I am mistaken? Not sure?

Definitely, I would suggest that those interested go directly to the

source and check with the hearing aid and/or ALD manufacture they

are considering in order to be certain.

Best,

[Guest guest]

Maggie has used both a neckloop and FMs with her BTE. She preferred the direct

audio input FM to the neckloop, said it was hugely clearer. In fact the

neckloop has jusst gathered dust! I think it is important to have a strong

telecoil if you are going to use FM. FM can be a great tool in infants and

preschoolers, because it brings the speech right to the child's ear and they can

" overhear " the speaker too when you are using it in a home setting. But for a

mild to moderate loss in a small child, where you could be close to them, it

might not be nearly as important as it is with a greater loss. And with the

general hearing aids, they are made from a soft material so they don't look

like they would need to be remade all that often.

[Guest guest]

Tracey-

Sorry you are having such a frustrating time with

Audiologists. We lucked out with our 1st Audiologist

who was really excited for our daughter to try the

ITE's. She was great and we loved her and then she

moved across the country. We haven't found another

Audiologist that we want to work with yet.

Refresh my memory as to how old your son is? I can't

believe your Audi won't even discuss hearing aid

options with you other than the BTE. It is really

time for Audi's to get out of the 'old school'

thinking in terms of HA's. We are the parents for

crying out loud and whatever type of HA we want our

kid to wear, we should at least get the opportunity to

try.

I think touched on a very good point - the

newborn screening is identifying many mild to moderate

losses that can use other types of HA's. These losses

probably went unnoticed until the kids were of school

age but now that they are being diagnosed at BIRTH I

think times need to change. We need other options!

BTE's, in my opinion, DO NOT work well with babies.

I've been there, I've tried it and it was a battle

that I lost with my daughter ripping hers out of her

ears every chance she got. Now she has ITE's, a much

better solution for us, as a family. She is only 2 so

at this point, FM's aren't a concern. I'll worry

about that when the time comes and if she needs a BTE

to work with her FM, then that's what we will do.

Sorry for going on like this. This is just such a hot

topic for me...I could go on for days.

Keep on your Audi and if he/she still won't entertain

anything other than a BTE, find a new Audi. My two

cents!

Alison

mom to Lucy - mild/moderate

--- traceyandynathen tracey@...> wrote:

> Hi

> I will be excited to hear how the ITC aids work out.

> Have you heard

> a bunch of grief about the " choking hazard " for

> infants/toddlers?

> How did you deal with that?

>

> Do you know if " general hearing " has done any

> clinical trials with

> their ITE products? How long they have been fitting

> them to

> pediatric patients?

>

> I have attempted to get General Hearing to work with

> my audiologist

> to see if we could fit those aids for my son. We are

> in Seattle and

> they are out of New Orleans and no one here knows

> about them. They

> are very reluctant to research the product and see

> if it would

> work. One audiologist is from Sonus and other Sonus

> locations have

> fit the ITE from General Hearing. I could not get

> those two to talk

> either. The gal from General Hearing wanted the

> audiologist to call

> her. The audiologist really wouldnt' bother. Very

> frustrating!

>

> Then they won't even have a conversation with me

> about getting my

> son fit for ITE or ITC aids. They say he is not a

> candidate because

> he is not an experienced HA wearer. (He really

> won't wear his BTE

> Aids) He is growing too fast and they are too

> expensive etc.

>

> All in all a very frustrating experience. We are

> still working

> through all that. I don't have a lot of choices for

> audiologists.

> Besides they seem to all have the same philosophy.

>

>

> >

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

We use a neckloop for long range sports. In booth testing, the neckloop

does not provide as much benefit as an FM with direct input, not enough for

him to use for class. DS likes the neckloop close to his hearing aids, even

draping it over his hearing aids to find the " sweet spot " when possible. We

keep BTEs because they accept direct input from an FM and because his

hearing loss is severe and progressive.

Selecting only FM input or FM with HA can sometimes be a function of either

the FM or hearing aids. The boys' digital aids have the option of being

programmed with a T or M/T program, the FM system can also choose between FM

and FM/HA input.

>

> If in-the-ear hearing instruments (ITEs) are used, they need to be

> equipped with a telecoil for FM compatibility. With ITEs, the FM

> receiver is plugged into a loop that is worn around the neck. The

> loop then generates an induction field that is picked up by the

> telecoil in the hearing instrument.

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/31/2006 6:00:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

tracey@... writes:

My son turned 10 yesterday. My audiogist said she does fit ITE at

this age, but only with experienced HA users. My son is not likely

to become an experienced user because he won't wear his BTE aids due

to fear and social/emotional issues. I think he could be a

successful HA user with ITE aids. His loss is suited to the ITE.

If you feel that using the ITE would alleviate your son's resistance to

using his aids, then that alone should be enough for you to give them a try.

For a child who won't wear the BTEs because they show, because they're

afraid of the aids being noticed by classmates -- whatever the worry, then that

child is not getting any benefit from purchasing a BTE that the child refuses

to wear. Perhaps purchasing the ITEs would cause him to become a successful

hearing aid wearer.

For an experienced BTE user, like our son, who couldn't care less about what

anyone thinks about his aids (his are bright blue) then the use of an FM

system becomes a consideration and the BTEs become the best option for him.

But for a child who can't even get to the point of wearing aids, well ...

I'd find a new audiologist asap. Shop around until you found one who is willing

to trial an ITE for you. Find one who is willing to take your input and give

it the consideration it deserves. You are the parents and know this child

better than anyone else. No one is being served by BTEs that stay in a drawer

or

on his dresser (or get buried in the rose garden.)

When Ian was first getting aided, he worried about teasing, about standing

out -- he was painfully shy as a little one. Our first step was a compromise

(that wasn't really one but we presented it as one) in that we ordered one aid

for his " bad " ear. His " good " ear was reaching the borderline for needing an

aid, so we agreed to get one for just the " bad " ear so he " could get used to

it. " Ian loved having his aid, loved having some of his hearing back. When

it came time for the second aid, there was no fight, no worry -- he asked for

the second aid.

Perhaps you can find a " compromise " about an ITE aid to try for the

month-long free trial period. If he finds wearing the ITE more to his liking,

then

you've overcome a major hurdle and he has become a successful aid wearer. That

doesn't mean moving over to BTEs, but it could mean a second ITE for the

other ear.

Just an idea ... take it, as always, with a grain of salt.

Best -- Jill

[Guest guest]

>

> > Hi

> > I will be excited to hear how the ITC aids work out.

> > Have you heard

> > a bunch of grief about the " choking hazard " for

> > infants/toddlers?

> > How did you deal with that?

> >

> > Do you know if " general hearing " has done any

> > clinical trials with

> > their ITE products? How long they have been fitting

> > them to

> > pediatric patients?

> >

> > I have attempted to get General Hearing to work with

> > my audiologist

> > to see if we could fit those aids for my son. We are

> > in Seattle and

> > they are out of New Orleans and no one here knows

> > about them. They

> > are very reluctant to research the product and see

> > if it would

> > work. One audiologist is from Sonus and other Sonus

> > locations have

> > fit the ITE from General Hearing. I could not get

> > those two to talk

> > either. The gal from General Hearing wanted the

> > audiologist to call

> > her. The audiologist really wouldnt' bother. Very

> > frustrating!

> >

> > Then they won't even have a conversation with me

> > about getting my

> > son fit for ITE or ITC aids. They say he is not a

> > candidate because

> > he is not an experienced HA wearer. (He really

> > won't wear his BTE

> > Aids) He is growing too fast and they are too

> > expensive etc.

> >

> > All in all a very frustrating experience. We are

> > still working

> > through all that. I don't have a lot of choices for

> > audiologists.

> > Besides they seem to all have the same philosophy.

> >

> >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>