EngYour child's Baha® fitting
This is the moment you have waited for. Prepare for your child’s new hearing experience with a list of questions to ask their audiologist.
What you will find on this page
- Learn what questions to ask your child's audiologist
- Know what to expect at the first programming appointment and beyond
- Connect with other parents who have been there to get support and hear their stories
As fitting day approaches, you’ll probably be feeling far more nervous and excited than your child is feeling. To help you prepare for the big day, we've put together a list of questions to ask your child's audiologist about what to expect at the first programming appointment and beyond.
Questions for parents to ask about fitting day and beyond
- What happens during the appointment?
- What does getting fitted (programmed) 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?
- How does it work?
- What tips do you have for using the new device?
- How often will I need to charge/change the batteries?
- Can they have a bath/go swimming right away?
- How do I store/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 audiologist will explain how the sound processor works and how to care for it. Then the audiologist will fine tune the settings on your child’s sound processor. Your child will start by listening to a series of tones—similar to a hearing test—as the audiologist calibrates the sound processor. Next, the audiologist will turn the sound processor on and your child will hear the voices of the audiologist and loved ones with you.
Your child’s brain may need time to adjust, or he or she may begin to recognize the sounds they had been missing.
“The moment we put the Baha 5 on him (Jackson), it was magical. 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 C. – Baha® recipient
What to expect after your child's sound processor is turned on
Over the next several months after their first programming, your child will most likely have a series of appointments with the audiologist to adjust and fine tune the sound processor's programs to help ensure optimal hearing performance. You will also need to follow the guidelines provided for care and maintenance, which vary based on device. We offer many "how to" videos, and our Customer Service team can help answer questions you may have.
Just as with any surgery, rehabilitation (both at home and with specialists) will be critical to your child's hearing progress and success. Your child will need to practice listening and speaking as much as possible. Please keep in mind that progress may take some time, but persistence and consistency can help a great deal. That’s why we offer robust and easy-to-use rehabilitation programs through The Communication Corner that can be tailored to your child’s needs at every learning level.
