A Hearing Aid for Children That Adapts With Age

A new hearing system from Siemens adapts to changing hearing requirements as a person grows and ages, so in theory it can be worn from birth onward. With the help of special software, the solution can be adjusted to a wearer’s hearing requirements as these alter with age — for following lessons in school, for example, or for listening to music without interruption.

Fitting a hearing instrument for young children with hearing loss is one of the most difficult tasks faced by audiologists. Children born with impaired hearing can only communicate to a very limited degree, and they also have different auditory perception than adults who have suffered gradual loss of hearing. In the latter case, the brain loses its capacity to perceive high frequencies. Children with hearing loss, by contrast, need the full spectrum of sounds in order to “learn how to hear.”

With the help of the latest findings from the field of pediatric audiology, Siemens Audiology has now developed a hearing instrument that meets such complex requirements. In addition to covering a considerably extended frequency range, the Explorer 500 P also boasts numerous functions such as speech-sensitive noise suppression and automatic situation detection, so the instrument can adapt to the constantly changing hearing requirements of a growing child.

In the framework of the Connexx adjustment software, Siemens has integrated ClinicalFit, which features a special workflow for children that automatically selects the full range of typical settings for each age level. To fit the instrument, the technician needs only to connect the device to a computer, enter the wearer’s age, the hearing impairment, and the required functions, and the software automatically does the rest — such as activating a directional microphone or a direct audio connectivity to wireless transmission systems used in kindergarten or school, for example. The latter selectively transmit a teacher’s words and help to suppress ambient noise.

Last but not least, the Explorer is specifically designed for children. In addition to being very robust and dirt-repellent, the housing features special locking mechanisms that prevent the battery compartment and earhook from being detached and swallowed.