Helping children hear in noise: New expert guidance on managing challenging listening environments

Children are growing up in a noisy world. From homes to daycare centers and schools, and everywhere in between, children often are attempting to listen, learn, and communicate in environments where background noise is always changing and can impact their ability to hear and understand speech. The issue becomes more challenging for children with hearing loss who have reduced access to speech signals, even in quiet situations.

New expert publication on noise management

To support pediatric audiologists in addressing these challenges, the Phonak Pediatric Advisory Board recently published Pediatric Focus 4: Noise Reduction in Children’s Hearing Aids – Evidence-Based Solutions.

Developed collaboratively by researchers, clinicians, and a parent representative, the publication reviews the latest evidence on children’s auditory environments, outlines key principles of noise management, and offers practical recommendations for clinical practice today and in the future.

As one of the contributing researchers, I am pleased to share some highlights from this consensus publication and discuss what they mean for audiologists supporting children in everyday listening situations.

Although hearing aids can improve audibility for children with hearing loss by amplifying auditory signals, the devices need to be able to manage those signals in both quiet and noisy places. Ineffective noise management can lead to limited or inconsistent use of the devices in noisy environments, potentially impacting children’s long-term outcomes.

Noise management technologies are designed to improve hearing in noisy environments and are now part of most modern hearing aids. As these systems continue to evolve, it is important for pediatric audiologists to stay current with the evidence guiding their use in children.

This blog shares key highlights and practical guidance from the consensus publication, focusing on one central question: “What can audiologists do about noise management for children who use hearing aids?”

Noise management for children who use hearing aids requires a plan. Just like no two children/families are alike (and no child/family remains static), that plan will need to be individualized and monitored over time to adapt to inevitable changes.

Understanding current technologies and fitting approaches

Some technologies for processing speech in quiet and noise have been around for many years. Others are more recent and continue to improve as research and clinical validation expand. Incorporating an evidence-based understanding of these technologies, along with pediatric hearing aid prescriptions adapted for noise, is essential for providing individualized noise management strategies.

In addition, a child’s age and developmental abilities are crucial considerations for determining when, where, and how to use these technologies.

Although most children spend quite a bit of time in noisy environments, understanding the types of environments and how often an individual child encounters them in their daily life is important for making noise-management decisions as well as for modifying those decisions.  Datalogging can provide information about total hours of use as well as the sound environments in which the child spends time.

Verifying and fine-tuning noise-management settings

Noise management strategies can differ across hearing aids and settings. Verifying noise reduction features for an individual child’s personal hearing aids will allow the audiologist to characterize that child’s hearing-aid processing and ensure that there are no negative effects for the user.

Partnering with families to support real-world listening

Audiologists and families are partners in hearing care for children with hearing loss. In terms of noise management, parents provide important information to the audiologist about the child’s real-world listening environments and listening needs. Together the audiologist and parents can discuss options for noise management that can meet those needs and address any adaptations that may need to be made to ensure comfort and communication access. As children get older, they, too, will play a valuable role in discussions and decisions.   

Working together to shape the future of noise management

Noise management for children with hearing loss is a continually advancing area of clinical care. As technology progresses and evidence grows, strategies will continue to adapt. By staying informed and working in close partnership with families, pediatric audiologists can ensure that children continue to benefit from the best available solutions in their daily environments.

Visit the Phonak Evidence Library to find the full publication, Pediatric Focus 4: Noise Reduction in Children’s Hearing Aids – Evidence-Based Solutions. Link