Children who wear hearing aids may struggle with comfort, confidence, or consistency as they grow. Pediatric audiologist Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D, explains why hearing aids can be challenging for some children and how families and schools can support their success. Dr. Ruggiano provides pediatric audiology care at Boulder Medical Center in Boulder, Louisville, and Longmont, Colorado.
by Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D
Audiologist at Boulder Medical Center
Children use hearing aids and other hearing devices for many reasons, and their feelings about using them can change as they grow. According to Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D, a pediatric audiologist with Boulder Medical Center (BMC), adjusting to hearing technology is often part of a child’s normal development, not a sign that something is wrong. With thoughtful support from families, schools, and audiology professionals, children can build confidence and learn to use their hearing aids successfully in everyday life.
This information is invaluable for parents and caregivers of children who have already been prescribed hearing aids or assistive hearing devices and are learning how to use them consistently.
Why Wearing Hearing Aids Can Feel Challenging for Some Children
There is rarely a single reason a child may hesitate to wear hearing aids. More often, their experience is shaped by how helpful the devices feel in daily situations, how comfortable they feel around peers, and how much support they receive across environments.
For some children—particularly those with mild or fluctuating hearing loss—the benefit of hearing aids may not be immediately apparent. In quiet settings, they may feel they hear “well enough” without them. When the benefit isn’t immediately noticeable, motivation to wear hearing aids can naturally decrease (Walker et al., 2025). This doesn’t mean the devices aren’t helpful; instead, their value often becomes clearer in more challenging listening environments, such as noisy classrooms or group conversations.
As children grow, social awareness also plays a role. Visible hearing aids can influence how children believe others see them, which may affect comfort and confidence—especially in school, on the playground, or during group activities (Wheeler, 2021). During developmental transitions, such as starting school or entering adolescence, children may experience moments of self-doubt that affect their feelings about wearing hearing aids in public settings.
Supporting Confidence and Consistency With Hearing Aids
Support is most effective when it focuses on understanding, encouragement, and skill-building rather than pressure. Helping children understand their hearing loss and how hearing aids support listening can be empowering. Age-appropriate conversations about how background noise, distance, and classroom environments affect hearing can help children make sense of their experiences and reduce frustration.
Building self-advocacy skills is another essential part of this process. Children benefit from learning to communicate their needs, such as asking for preferential seating, requesting captions for videos, or requesting that instructions be given in quieter environments. Practicing these conversations at home can help children feel more confident using these skills at school and in social settings.
The Importance of Support at School, With Peers, and Through Audiology Care
Consistent support across environments plays a meaningful role in how children experience their hearing aids. Teachers can help by adjusting seating, reducing background noise, and using classroom microphones or FM systems when available. These supports can make hearing aids feel more helpful throughout the school day.
Peer connection also matters. Connecting with other children who wear hearing aids can help normalize the use of hearing aids and build confidence. Seeing other children succeed with hearing aids can reassure both children and caregivers, and family- or community-based groups may provide additional support.
Pediatric audiologists support children beyond simply fitting hearing aids. They work closely with families and schools to adjust hearing aids as children grow, address listening challenges in different environments, and support communication and self-advocacy skills over time. This whole-child approach helps ensure hearing aids continue to meet a child’s needs as they develop.
Families across Boulder County, including Boulder, Louisville, and Longmont, often share similar questions as children grow and their listening needs change. Having consistent, knowledgeable support can make these transitions easier for both children and parents.
A Supportive Path Forward
Learning to use hearing aids is a process, not a single milestone. With patience, understanding, and coordinated support, children can develop a positive relationship with their hearing aids and feel confident participating in school, social activities, and everyday life.
Olivia Ruggiano, Au.D
Audiologist at Boulder Medical Center
This article was written by Olivia Ruggiano, AuD, pediatric audiologist at Boulder Medical Center, a local, independent, physician-owned medical group serving Boulder County since 1949. Dr. Ruggiano provides evidence-based hearing care for children and families in Boulder, Louisville, Longmont, and surrounding communities, with a focus on confidence, communication, and whole-child development.
Article References
Walker, Elizabeth A., et al. Characteristics of Hearing Aid Use in Adolescents Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools (2025).
Tharpe, Anne Marie, and Lindsey Wheeler. The Hearing Aid Effect in Children. The Hearing Journal 74.3 (2021).
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you are experiencing severe or worsening symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.