According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, babies as young as 4 weeks can be fitted with a hearing aid or other assistive device. Laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act can assist parents with free hearing aids for their children.

Features

According to Linkroll.com, the components in a hearing aid include a microphone, a receiver and an electronic circuit. The microphone picks up sounds, and the electronic circuit amplifies the sounds. The receiver is the channel that the amplified sound goes through to the person's ear.

Digital and Analog

Digital hearing aids do not require an adjustment of volume; these devices adjust on their own. Analog hearing aids can be programmed so they work under environmental circumstances.

Behind the Ear

Behind-the-ear devices are used most commonly in children because they can be molded to any ear size and are easily cleaned and adjusted.

Assistive Listening Systems

Hearing aids that have telecoil and direct-audio input capability allow children to connect their hearing aid to an assistive listening system. This is used mostly in schools.

Assistance

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, children receive free hearing aids with costs defrayed by Medicaid, some private health care plans and early intervention through IDEA. Early intervention services are provided through local schools or the health department.

Source:

Linkroll: How Does a Hearing Aid Work?

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Children and Hearing Aids