Tech, Equipment, Apps, and More for Hearing Loss

After a diagnosis, one of the first things the audiologist might talk to you about is hearing aids or a cochlear implant, if your child’s level of hearing loss calls for this type of intervention. The type of hearing aid your audiologist recommends will depend on a few different factors, including your child’s level of hearing loss, the size and shape of their ear, and how comfortable they are using their hands to handle small devices (their manual dexterity). Personal preferences also play a big role. Some kids prefer something more discreet, others want something colorful and fun, and some just don’t care at all. Below are the types of hearing aids that the audiologist might recommend.

• Behind-the-ear (BTE): a type of hearing aid that you wear on the outside and “behind” your ear; it works by taking any sound and amplifying it down a small tube to your ear canal

• Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE): similar to the BTE, the device sits behind the ear, and a thin wire goes into the ear canal

• In-the-ear (ITE): a custom-made device, almost like an earbud, that is placed in the ear and has a microphone that will amplify any sound; other versions of ITE include:

  • Invisible-in-canal (IIC)
  • Completely-in-canal (CIC
  • In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids
  • Full/half shell in-the-ear hearing aids

• Contralateral routing of signals (CROS)/bi-contralateral routing of signals (BiCROS): designed for individuals who have better or normal hearing in one ear and more significant hearing loss in the other, these hearing aids have microphones on both sides, but both carry the sound only to your ear with poor sound

As you can see, there are many different types of hearing aids. Hopefully, your audiologist will walk you through the various options and features of each — such as rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth compatibility, and volume controls — to help you choose the best fit for your child’s and family’s needs and lifestyle.

Cochlear implants

Cochlear implants are a type of hearing device, but unlike hearing aids, which can be removed and put on as needed, cochlear implants require a surgical procedure to be implanted. Instead of simply amplifying sounds, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the ear and send signals directly to the auditory nerve, creating a new pathway for sound to reach the brain. This type of hearing device is typically recommended for individuals with severe or profound hearing loss.

Bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA)/bone-anchored implant (BAI)

BAHA and BAI devices are hearing systems that are also surgically placed behind the ear. Unlike cochlear implants, though, these devices don’t stimulate the hearing nerve directly. Instead, they use bone conduction (vibrations through the bones of the skull) to help your child access sound in a different way. This type of hearing device is often recommended for kids with conductive or mixed hearing loss or for those who are deaf in one ear.

There’s also a nonsurgical option called a bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA). These are typically worn on a headband or softband and do the same job — sending sound through the bones to the cochlea — but without surgery. They’re especially helpful for younger kids who aren’t ready for implantation yet, kids with temporary hearing loss, or families who prefer a less invasive approach. Either way, it’s all about finding the solution that fits your child best.

Going beyond hearing aids, there is technology called hearing assistive technology (often referred to as HATs). These tools and devices can make a big difference for kids with hearing loss, especially in loud and overstimulating environments where it can be hard to hear clearly even when using hearing aids or cochlear implants.

These tools aren’t meant to replace hearing aids or implants, but to give your child extra hearing support in specific situations such as in the classroom, at busy restaurants, or even at home. Think of them as helpful add-ons that can make communication clearer and less frustrating. Here are a few common types:

• FM systems. These are wireless devices designed to help people with hearing aids or cochlear implants hear more clearly. For example, a teacher can wear a small microphone, and their voice is sent directly to your child’s hearing device. This helps your child hear the teacher more clearly — even in noisy environments such as classrooms or crowded rooms — by cutting through all the background noise.

• Infrared systems (aka hearing loop systems). These devices help your child hear better in places such as in theaters, in auditoriums, or even at home with the TV. They send sound wirelessly to a receiver your child wears — either with headphones or a neck-loop that connects to their hearing aid or cochlear implant.

• One-to-one communicators. These devices let someone, such as a teacher or parent, speak into a microphone, and the sound goes straight to your child’s hearing aid, cochlear implant, or headset. It cuts down on background noise so your child can hear the speaker more clearly. This can be especially helpful in noisy places or during one-on-one conversations.

• Personal amplifiers are about the size of a cell phone; these devices increase sound levels and reduce background noise for a listener. Some have directional microphones that can be angled toward a speaker or other source of sound. The amplified sound can be picked up by a receiver that the listener is wearing, either as a headset or as earbuds.

Telecommunication for individuals with hearing loss or speech challenges has come a long way, evolving from basic text-based systems to advanced, real-time communication tools. In the past, text telephones like Teletypewriter (TTY) and other specialized telecommunications devices were the primary options for people who were d/Deaf or hard of hearing, allowing them to send typed messages over phone lines. While groundbreaking at the time, these tools have now been largely replaced by more efficient and user-friendly alternatives that are fully accessible across various devices — such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets — making communication more convenient, flexible, and inclusive than ever before.

One of the most significant advancements in telecommunication accessibility is Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), which allows individuals with speech or hearing challenges to communicate over the phone. TRS offers six specialized service types, each designed to meet different communication needs:

• Captioned Telephone Service
• Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service
• Internet Protocol Relay Service
• Speech-to-Speech Relay Service
• Teletypewriter (TTY) Relay Service
• Video Relay Service

Read more about these, and more, in our article Top Communication Tools, Apps, Assistive Technology, and More!

In addition to HATs, there are some pretty clever alerting and safety devices designed to make your home safer and more accessible. These devices use things like flashing lights, vibrations, or extra-loud sounds to help individuals who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing stay on top of important stuff — such as when someone’s at the door, the phone rings, or a smoke alarm goes off.

They’re especially helpful in those everyday moments you might not think about right away — for example, your child not hearing their alarm clock in the morning or missing the doorbell when a friend comes over. These devices help make sure your child feels confident and independent and can respond quickly when it matters most.

Here are a few alerting and safety devices to keep in mind:

• Flashing, vibrating, or amplified doorbell systems

• Amplified phones

  • There are also helpful phone settings and apps designed to make hearing a little easier. For example, Android users can use Google Sound Amplifier (the Sound Amplifier app is the Apple version), which boosts and clarifies the sounds coming from your phone — whether it’s a video, phone call, or something playing nearby. It’s a great tool for adding extra support in day-to-day situations.

• Vibrating and flashing alarm clocks

• Smarthome assistants with visual alerts

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with visual and vibrating alerts

• Provide an ASL interpreter or real-time captioning (CART) services if needed.
• Include ASL on classroom materials, like alphabet charts, days of the week, and signs.
• Acoustic Accommodations. Schools can use speaker systems, carpeted floors, paneled ceilings or sound-softening tiles, and curtains to reduce echo and background noise. These modifications help students using hearing aids
• Use visual aids and written instructions to support learning.
• Be sure the teacher faces your child when speaking. This allows for your child to hear you clearly, and if they also use lipreading, to see their mouth and facial expressions.
• Take turns when talking. It’s easy to talk over each other or jump in when you're excited or in a group setting, but for kids with hearing loss, that can make it hard to keep up. Practicing turn-taking during conversations helps make communication clearer and gives your child a chance to follow along and feel included. It’s a great habit for the whole family (and friends) to get used to!
• Modified educational materials. Visual schedules, captioned videos, tactile learning tools, and language-rich curricula support DHH students in understanding and engaging with content.
• Preferential seating to make sure the student is able to hear the teacher clearly.

For preschoolers

• Include ASL in circle time, songs, and classroom materials like alphabet charts and posters
• Pair spoken instructions with visual cues
• Keep classroom routines consistent and predictable

For students with auditory processing challenges

• Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps
• Give one direction at a time
• Allow extra time to process verbal information
• Use visual schedules and memory aids like tablets or printed checklists
• Maintain open communication between home and school