Congratulations! 

If you're reading this, your child's first set of hearing aids are likely getting dispensed soon.

Mixed emotions are totally normal. Will they tolerate the feeling? Will they like sound, or be scared? What if it doesn't work? How are we going to manage all this tech?  We totally get it, and felt the same.

Here are some tips to help this milestone moment go a little more smoothly.

While we experienced this with a baby, we've included some tips for older children's first hearing aids too!

1 ~ Stock Up On Retention Methods

Some parents are able to keep a baby's hearing aids on with no assistance.  Others, like us, need all the help.

In advance of your appointment, order a selection of headbands and bonnets, in different styles and materials. You can test them out at the appointment with the audiologist there to guide you.

Check out our favorite bonnet brands.

2 ~ Consider Who You Want There

Talk with your partner about who you want in the room.

Some families want a crowd to support them. Others prefer to keep it small and intimate.  Be sure to check your doctor's office guidelines, as they may have limitations on the number of guests.

Also, consider whether you want to record or photograph the occasion.

We decided ahead of time to keep it just us, and take some photos and videos.

3 ~ Explain it Beforehand

Starting a few days beforehand, we would talk to our baby about the upcoming change.  

Even if she couldn't hear or understand the words, we think she could understand it on some level. And, it helped us to just hear ourselves saying it out loud.

For Older Kids - For an older child's first hearing aids, role playing audiologist can help the child know what to expect. This can also help a sibling understand what's going to happen.

4 ~ Dress Up 

While definitely not "necessary," dressing up signals to baby (and yourselves) that this is a happy occasion.  It's hard not to feel excited when you see your baby in an adorable new outfit.

We're also happy we dressed up when we look back at our pictures and videos of the day.  

For Older Kids - This is definitely a know-your-kid moment! Some kids love the chance to wear a new outfit, others will stubbornly rebel. If new clothes aren't their thing, letting them wear a favorite outfit, or a favorite dress-up costume, can be a great approach!

5 ~ Stay Calm and Positive

Have some tissues on hand, since you might feel some big emotions.

Discussing the color options, or baby's cute outfit, is an easy way to lighten things back up.

6 ~ Take Notes on the Maintenance

The audiologist's team will show you how to clean and maintain the hearing aids.

It's easy to forget afterwards, especially with all the thoughts running through your head! Notes—or even a video with their permission—definitely help.

Here's our nightly maintenance routine.

7 ~ Ask About the Settings

Hearing aids have many different settings. The first settings are just a starting point.

Ask your audiologist about the settings, and what to expect. For example, they may start them off very low, with the expectation that they'll amp them up in the future.

8 ~ Be Open to Any Reaction

We've seen the videos on social media of babies lighting up and cooing adorably. It seems like an instant miracle!

But, it's really not that simple. It may take some time for the brain to process the sound, and for the doctors to adjust the settings.

Even if everything's perfect out of the gate, some babies have no reaction at all. Some even cry a lot.

There's no "wrong" reaction. Your audiologist can address any reaction and help you understand the next steps.

Tip for Older Kids - Getting a newly amped-up sense can be emotionally overwhelming, especially for kids. Some kids might cry, just out of surprise, or the sheer difference of it. That doesn't mean your child "hates" hearing aids! Your audiologist can adjust settings, and guide you through any issues, such as whether to gradually increase wear time to help them adjust.

9 ~ Celebrate! 

Take some time to soak in what you've done. This is a milestone, and you did it.

Welcome to the club!

Up Next: Why Are My Baby's Hearing Aids Whistling? And Will They Ever Stop?