New hearing technology for children

Marnie and Shayleigh, who is wearing her new headband, which helps her to hear

New hearing aids aimed at better supporting children with hearing loss are being provided.

Shayleigh, five, from Wolverhampton, was one of the first to be fitted with the aid and her mother, Marnie, said it was much better for her.

The new device is worn on a softer headband than previous designs and has improved data logging and battery reactions, Jennie Howard, Advanced Audiologist at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said.

Shayleigh has congenital hearing loss in her left ear. At school, her teacher will be given a microphone so Shayleigh can hear her directly, which her mother said was fantastic.

The new technology being offered by the team is the Baha 7 Sound Processor along with the Baha SoundBand.

The hospital said the improved design aimed to increase children's confidence in wearing the device and encourage consistent use.

These advancements represent a significant step forward in supporting young patients with hearing challenges, helping them engage more fully at school, at home, and in social settings, the hospital added.