The Effectiveness of Hearing Aids in Enhancing Auditory Perception in Children with Hearing Impairment

Abstract

Hearing impairments are among the most significant developmental challenges affecting children's linguistic, cognitive, and social growth, particularly during early childhood when auditory input plays a crucial role in language acquisition and communication, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hearing aids in enhancing auditory perception among children with mild to moderate hearing loss, by assessing improvements in auditory and linguistic abilities following the use of hearing devices, the study sample consisted of 30 children aged between 6 and 10 years who were fitted with hearing aids and monitored over a specified period, a quasi-experimental design was employed, involving pre- and post-intervention assessments using a series of standardized auditory and cognitive tests, as well as behavioral observations and reports from parents and teachers in both home and educational settings, the results indicated significant improvement in several aspects of auditory perception, including the ability to discriminate between verbal and non-verbal sounds, increased accuracy in word recognition, and enhanced auditory attention and interaction in daily environments, the effectiveness of the hearing aids was particularly evident among children who received early intervention, reinforcing the importance of timely diagnosis and auditory rehabilitation, no significant adverse effects related to the use of hearing aids were reported, indicating high levels of acceptance and functional compatibility, the study concludes that hearing aids are an effective tool in improving various dimensions of auditory perception and play a pivotal role in supporting linguistic and cognitive development in children with hearing loss, the findings underscore the need to strengthen early screening programs and raise awareness among parents, educators, and healthcare providers about the critical role of early auditory intervention and the provision of appropriate hearing devices during the early years of development.