Hearing loss in people younger than 18
• People younger than 18 should see a doctor first, preferably an ear-nose-throat doctor (an ENT),
because they may have different needs than adults.
• The doctor will identify and treat medical conditions as appropriate.
• The doctor may refer the person to an audiologist for a separate test, a hearing aid evaluation.
• The hearing aid evaluation will help the audiologist select and fit the appropriate hearing aid.
A person who is younger than 18 years old with hearing loss should have a medical evaluation by a
doctor, preferably an ENT, before buying a hearing aid. The purpose of a medical evaluation is to identify
and treat medical conditions that may affect hearing but that a hearing aid won’t treat on its own.
Following the medical evaluation and if appropriate, the doctor will provide a written statement that the
hearing loss has been medically evaluated and the person is a candidate for a hearing aid. The doctor
may refer the person to an audiologist for a hearing aid evaluation, which is different from the medical
evaluation and is intended to identify the appropriate hearing aid.
The audiologist will conduct a hearing aid evaluation to assess the person’s ability to hear with and without
a hearing aid. This will enable the audiologist to select and fit a hearing aid for the person’s individual
needs. An audiologist can also provide evaluation and rehabilitation since, for people younger than 18,
hearing loss may cause problems in language development and educational and social growth. An
audiologist is qualified by training and experience to assist in the evaluation and rehabilitation of hearing
loss in people younger than 18.
6 FDA warnings and cautions (USonly)
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